The suspended Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC in Adamawa State, Hudu Yunusa-Ari has been granted bail after a three-day grilling.
Two of the commissioners and officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, undergoing interrogation at the Police Headquarters in connection with the Adamawa Governorship Election fiasco were also freed to go.
They were released on administrative bail but relieved of their travel passports while their movement is restricted within the Federal Capital Territory.
A senator stood surety for Yunusa-Ari after he was interrogated for three days while in police custody.
Inspector-General of Police, IGP Alkali Baba also personally interrogated the REC, the national commissioners and the others.
The IG was assisted by the Deputy Inspectors-General where Yunusa-Ari exchanged words with the INEC commissioners over the claim that he fled and was incommunicado.
The INEC officials were also interrogated on allegations of bribing during the April 15 supplementary election.
Trouble started after the REC declared All Progressives Congress’s candidate Aisha Dahiru Binani as governor-elect, when collation of results was going on in usurpation of the Returning Officer’s role.
It was gathered that the police restricted the suspects’ movement to enable them invite all the officials at short notice when needed.
A Police source said: “Our investigators have interacted with the REC, some INEC National Commissioners and other officials undergoing interrogation. We have asked the affected officials to submit their travel documents.
“The REC promised to drop his passport at the Force Headquarters yesterday.
“And if it is necessary to arraign any of the officials after the conclusion of the ongoing investigation, it will be easier.
“In line with the law and international best practices, the police have granted bail to the REC, the National Commissioners and all officials under investigation. They have been released accordingly”, the source added.
The bail surety for the REC is a Senator. But all those quizzed got an advisory to limit their media visibility for unfettered investigation, he said
“With the involvement of the IGP and his management team, you can determine the commitment attached to this case. Granting bail will not hamper the investigation.
“There were allegations and counter-allegations on nocturnal meetings, choice dinner and bribery scandal during the elections.
“Detectives will look into this dimension of influence peddling and bribery. The scope of investigation will be widened”, the source added.
All those summoned were grilled by the Police Election Planning, Monitoring, and Evaluation Team unit of the INTERPOL National Central Bureau.
