The Federal High Court sitting in Osogbo, Osun State, has ordered the arrest of the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Mahmood Yakubu, over alleged contempt and disobedience of a subsisting court order.
Justice Funmilola Demi-Ajayi, who presided over the matter between the Action Alliance and INEC, ruled that Yakubu and the commission failed to comply with an earlier judgment that recognised the Adekunle Rufai Omoaje-led National Executive Committee of the Action Alliance.
Court’s Ruling
Delivering judgment on Monday, Justice Demi-Ajayi fined Yakubu ₦100,000 and gave him and INEC a seven-day ultimatum to restore the names of all Action Alliance state chairmen elected under Omoaje’s leadership on the commission’s official portal.
Failure to comply, the court warned, would prompt the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to enforce the arrest of the INEC boss.
The judge also affirmed the validity of the Action Alliance national convention held at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, Abeokuta, which produced Omoaje as national chairman. According to her, the convention was duly monitored by INEC officials and conducted in line with both the party’s constitution and the Electoral Act.
Action Alliance’s Legal Push
Represented by counsel K.O. Etibo, the Action Alliance initiated contempt proceedings through Forms 48 and 49, accusing the INEC chairman of “flagrant disobedience” of lawful court orders.
The court stressed that Yakubu’s refusal to recognise Omoaje’s leadership undermines judicial authority and threatens the integrity of Nigeria’s electoral process.
Who is Mahmood Yakubu?
Professor Mahmood Yakubu has chaired INEC since November 2015, becoming the first to oversee two consecutive general elections (2019 and 2023).
Appointed by former President Muhammadu Buhari, he is a professor of political history and international studies and once served as Executive Secretary of TETFund.
Under his leadership, INEC introduced key electoral reforms, including the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV).
Succession Speculation
With Yakubu expected to retire on November 8, reports suggest President Bola Tinubu is considering Professor Joash Amupitan, SAN, as a potential successor.
Amupitan, elevated to the prestigious rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria in 2014, is regarded as one of the country’s foremost legal minds. Observers say his appointment could shape the next chapter of Nigeria’s democratic journey.
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