JUST IN: Court Dismisses Suspended Adamawa REC’s Suit Against IGP, AGF, SSS

A Federal High Court, Abuja on Friday dismissed the suit filed by the suspended Resident Electoral Commissioner of Adamawa state, Hudu Yunusa-Ari, which sought protection from media trial, arrest and harassment by security agencies following his controversial announcement of the All Progressives Congress governorship candidate, Senator Aisha Binani Dahiru, as winner of the last Adamawa governorship poll.

Yunusa-Ari sued the Inspector General of Police, Nigeria Police Force, the Attorney-General of Federation and Minister of Justice, the Director of the State Security Service (SSS) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as 1st to 5th respondents respectively.

THE WHISTLER recalls that Hudu had hurriedly announced Binani winner of the governorship poll against the due process but the declaration was annulled by the INEC leadership which eventually returned the incumbent governor, Umar Fintiri.

Hudu’s legal team led by Jibrin Okutepa said his client’s decision to announce Binani was due to a tight security breach in Adamawa.

He contended that since the incident, the respondents kept issuing press statements against him when he had not been convicted by a law court.

The police also countered Hudu saying it is constitutionally allowed to arrest suspects.

Passing judgment on Friday, Justice James Omotosho held that the only issue to determine in the case is whether the fundamental rights of Hudu were breached by any of the respondents.

The judge said as fundamental as human rights are, there are exceptions.

He said news reported by media is not a court of law and that the media as the fourth estate of the realm must be allowed to perform its job.

“In the opinion of this court, the applicant filed this suit to hide himself from prosecution for the role he played in the Adamawa guber poll.

“This suit lacks merit. This application is highly unmeritorious,” the judge said.