INEC Dismisses Reports of Court Order for mahmood Yakubu’s Arrest

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has refuted claims that it violated a court order issued by the Federal High Court in Osogbo, Osun State, concerning the arrest of its former chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu.

Reports had circulated that the court, on September 29, 2025, ordered Yakubu’s arrest for allegedly disregarding a judgment involving the Action Alliance (AA).

The case reportedly concerned the recognition of the party’s leadership.INEC, however, dismissed the reports as false, stating that it had already complied with the court’s directive.

According to the commission, it filed all necessary documents at the Federal High Court in Osogbo on October 6, 2025—within the stipulated period—to prove its compliance with the order recognizing the Action Alliance executives elected in Abeokuta, Ogun State, on October 7, 2023.

The electoral body explained that it presented its website records showing the updated details of the party’s executives as evidence of compliance.

However, when some members of the Action Alliance raised concerns that the name of their National Chairman, Rufai Omoaje, was not included, INEC clarified that Omoaje had already filed an appeal at the Supreme Court challenging his removal by the Court of Appeal.

INEC noted that it could not include Omoaje’s name while the appellate court’s judgment remained valid, as the ruling of a higher court takes precedence over that of the Federal High Court.

The commission also cautioned media organisations to verify reports before publication to prevent misinformation and public confusion.