The Adamawa State High Court has dealt a significant blow to the suspended Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Hudu Yunusa Ari, by rejecting his request to stop his ongoing criminal trial. This decision is a major development in the case, which has been making headlines in recent weeks.
According to reports, Hudu's lawyer, M.K. Tijjani, had argued that the trial court should suspend proceedings pending the outcome of an appeal filed at the Yola Court of Appeal. The appeal, which was heard on January 21, 2025, challenges the trial court's jurisdiction and alleges potential bias in the handling of the case. However, the court was not convinced by this argument, and Justice Benjamin Lawan Manji delivered a ruling rejecting Hudu's request for a stay of proceedings.
The court's decision was based on the Administration of Criminal Justice Law (ACJL) of Adamawa State, 2018, which explicitly prohibits the suspension of criminal trials. The prosecution, led by Chief L.D. Nzadon, had argued that the law does not permit the suspension of criminal trials, and that the cases cited by Hudu's lawyer were related to civil matters, not criminal cases.
This ruling is a significant setback for Hudu, who is facing criminal charges and was seeking to halt the trial. The court's decision means that the substantive criminal case against him will continue at the Adamawa State High Court. The outcome of this case will be closely watched, as it has significant implications for the integrity of the electoral process in Nigeria.
It's worth noting that this is not the first time that Hudu has attempted to stop his trial. In a previous instance, the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja had declined to extend its interim order seeking to stop the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Inspector General of Police (IGP), and the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) from prosecuting him ¹.
The rejection of Hudu's request to stop his trial is a positive development for the justice system in Nigeria. It shows that the courts are committed to upholding the law and ensuring that those who are accused of crimes are held accountable. The case will continue to be closely watched, and it will be interesting to see how it unfolds in the coming weeks and months.
In conclusion, the Adamawa State High Court's rejection of Hudu's request to stop his trial is a significant development in the case. The court's decision is based on the law, and it's a positive step towards ensuring that justice is served. The case will continue to be closely watched, and it will be interesting to see how it unfolds in the coming weeks and months ² ³.
