A Federal High Court sitting in Osogbo, Osun State, has issued a warrant for the arrest and imprisonment of former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Mahmood Yakubu, for defying a court order.
The ruling, delivered by Justice Adefunmilola Demi-Ajayi on Monday, September 29, 2025, came shortly before Yakubu formally stepped down from his role as INEC Chairman.
His successor, Mrs May Agbamuche-Mbu, has since assumed the position in an acting capacity.
The contempt proceedings stem from Yakubu’s and INEC’s failure to comply with a court order directing the restoration of the Rufai Omoaje-led National Executive of the Action Alliance (AA) party to the INEC website.
The party had previously filed a suit, FHC/OS/194/2024, contesting what it described as the unlawful removal of its officials from INEC’s portal.
According to a certified copy of the court order obtained by Vanguard, the plaintiffs, Action Alliance and several of its state chairmen, requested that the court enforce its February 17, 2025 judgement, which mandated INEC to reinstate the names of the executive members.
The court order reads in part:
“The Inspector General of Police is hereby directed to effect the arrest of the Defendants, INEC and Professor Mahmood Yakubu, and initiate committal proceedings for contempt within seven days of this ruling.”
The plaintiffs are also seeking Imprisonment of Yakubu and INEC for contempt, Compliance with the prior judgement, including full recognition of the Omoaje-led NEC and Compensation for financial and reputational harm caused by INEC’s non-compliance.
Additionally, the court awarded ₦100,000 in costs against the defendants in favour of the plaintiffs.
The plaintiffs in the suit include 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 Action Alliance.
