Court Orders Arrest Of Ex-INEC Chairman Yakubu Over Contempt

A Federal High Court sitting in Osogbo, Osun State, has ordered the arrest and imprisonment of the immediate-past chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Mahmood Yakubu, for contempt of court.

The order was issued by Justice Adefunmilola Demi-Ajayi on Monday, September 29, 2025, before Yakubu officially stepped down from office. The court ruled that the then INEC boss failed to comply with its earlier judgement directing the relisting of the national officers of the Action Alliance (AA) party on the Commission’s website.

According to Vanguard, the suit, FHC/OS/194/2024, was filed by the Action Alliance and several of its state chairmen, led by Hon. Adekunle Rufai Omoaje, against INEC and Yakubu.

The plaintiffs accused the Commission of unlawfully removing the names of the Omoaje-led National Executive from its official portal, despite a subsisting court order recognising their leadership.

The certified true copy of the judgment reads in part: “The 1st Defendant (INEC) and the 2nd Defendant (Prof. Mahmood Yakubu) are hereby committed to the Correctional Centre (formerly Prison) for disobeying the judgment and orders of the Federal High Court, Osogbo, Osun State, in Suit No. FHC/OS/CS/194/2024 delivered on the 17th of February 2025.”

The court further directed the Inspector General of Police to ensure the immediate arrest of the contemnors and commence committal proceedings within seven days of the ruling.

“That the Inspector General of Police shall cause the arrest and shall charge the Defendants/Judgement Debtors for contempt and committal proceedings within seven days of this ruling,” the order stated.

Additionally, the court awarded a ₦100,000 cost against INEC and Yakubu in favour of the plaintiffs “for acts of contempt resulting in financial and private injuries.”

The plaintiffs in the case include the Action Alliance, Professor Julius Adebowale, Engr. Olowookere Alabi, Barr. Chinwuba Zulyke, Oladele Sunday, Simon Itokwe, and Araoye Oyewole, representing themselves and 30 other state chairmen of the party.

Meanwhile, Professor Yakubu officially stepped down as INEC Chairman on Tuesday, with Mrs. May Agbamuche-Mbu, a National Commissioner, assuming office as Acting Chairman of the electoral body.