Court Orders Arrest of Ex-INEC Chairman Mahmood Yakubu for Contempt

The Federal High Court in Osogbo, Osun State, has directed the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to arrest former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Mahmood Yakubu, for contempt of court.

The court’s order came just hours after Yakubu officially vacated his position as INEC chairman. The ruling followed a case filed by the Action Alliance (AA) over INEC’s alleged refusal to comply with a previous court judgment.

The Action Alliance had earlier approached the court, accusing INEC and its former chairman of ignoring a judgment delivered by Justice Funmilola Demi-Ajayi in suit number FHC/OS/CS/194/2024.

The ruling had instructed INEC to upload the names of the party’s National Chairman, Adekunle Rufai Omoaje, and other members of its National Executive Committee (NEC) on the commission’s official portal.

Justice Demi-Ajayi had also confirmed the authenticity of the party’s elective convention held on October 7, 2023, which produced Omoaje and his NEC members, stating that it was properly monitored by INEC in line with the party’s constitution and the Electoral Act.

However, despite INEC’s claim that it complied with the order, the Action Alliance disagreed, stating that while the names of the NEC and state chairmen had been uploaded, Omoaje’s name was still missing from the commission’s website.

The court, in its latest order dated October 7, 2025, expressed displeasure over the partial compliance and instructed the Inspector General of Police to arrest and charge Yakubu for contempt within seven days.

The court also awarded a cost of ₦100,000 against the judgment creditors in connection with the matter.