KEY POINTS
- Court orders arrest of Yakubu for contempt.
- INEC failed to reinstate Action Alliance executives.
- Police directed to act within seven days.
Justice Adefunmilola Demi-Ajayi of the Federal High Court in Osogbo, Osun State, has ordered the arrest and imprisonment of Professor Mahmood Yakubu, the immediate past Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), for contempt of court.
The order was issued on September 29, 2025, shortly before Yakubu stepped down from office. The court held that he failed to obey its earlier judgment directing INEC to relist the names of the Action Alliance’s national officers on its website.
Court faults INEC over Action Alliance order
The Action Alliance, through suit number FHC/OS/194/2024, had sought to compel INEC and Professor Yakubu to restore the names of its Rufai Omoaje-led National Executive Committee, which the commission had removed from its official portal.
Justice Demi-Ajayi, in her ruling, said INEC and Yakubu disobeyed a valid court order made on February 17, 2025, affirming the Omoaje-led faction as the legitimate leadership of the party.
The judge also granted the plaintiffs’ motion for committal, directing the Inspector General of Police to arrest Yakubu and INEC officials for contempt of court within seven days.
Arrest of Mahmood Yakubu follows non-compliance with court ruling
The certified court order, also imposed a ₦100,000 cost on INEC and Yakubu for what it described as “acts of contempt resulting in financial and private injuries to the plaintiffs.”
Furthermore, the plaintiffs in the case include Action Alliance, Professor Julius Adebowale, Engr. Olowookere Alabi, Barr. Chinwuba Zulyke, Oladele Sunday, Simon Itokwe, and Araoye Oyewole representing 30 state chairmen of the party.
Yakubu further officially vacated his position as INEC Chairman on Tuesday, with Mrs. May Agbamuche-Mbu named as acting head of the commission.
