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The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has filed a contempt lawsuit against Professor Mahmood Yakubu, Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), for his failure to investigate allegations of electoral offenses committed during the 2023 general elections.

SERAP accuses Yakubu of not identifying suspected perpetrators and ensuring their prosecution.

On July 18, 2024, Justice Obiora Atuegwu Egwuatu of the Federal High Court, Abuja, ordered INEC to pursue cases of bribery against state governors and their deputies and to investigate other electoral offenses from the 2023 elections.

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The ruling mandated that INEC seek independent counsel for the investigation of these allegations.

Despite this order, INEC and Professor Yakubu have reportedly failed to comply.

The Federal High Court issued a warning, stating that Yakubu could be “guilty of contempt of Court and liable to be committed to prison” if he does not adhere to the court’s judgment.

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The court notice addressed to Professor Yakubu reads in part: “take notice that unless you obey the Orders contained in the Judgment of the 18th July 2024 made by Justice Egwuatu… you will be guilty of contempt of Court and will be liable to be committed to prison.”

In a statement dated October 27, 2024, signed by SERAP deputy director Kolawole Oluwadare, the organization criticized INEC, stating, “It’s unacceptable to take the court, which is the guardian of justice in this country, for a ride. A democratic state based on the rule of law cannot exist or function if INEC and its chair routinely ignore and/or fail to abide by court orders.”

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The statement continued: “Despite the service of the certified true copy of the judgment on INEC and Professor Yakubu, they have failed and/or refused to obey it.”

It emphasized that the ongoing cases of electoral bribery and violence undermine Nigeria’s electoral process and democracy. Recent allegations of electoral offenses in Edo State suggest that INEC has not learned from the issues that plagued the 2023 elections.

As the upcoming governorship election in Ondo approaches, SERAP urges INEC to address persistent electoral offenses, hold perpetrators accountable, and uphold citizens’ rights to vote and participate politically.

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Justice Egwuatu’s ruling highlighted SERAP’s concerns regarding electoral violence, stating: “The substance of SERAP’s grouse is the violence associated with elections in Nigeria which tends to prevent citizens from exercising their franchise during elections, thus preventing credible elections and in the long run credible leaders.”

The judgment further noted, “There is no gainsaying the fact that electoral violence and the associated crimes committed during elections in Nigeria is a great bane to the development of this Country both democratically and economically.”

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Justice Egwuatu affirmed that SERAP has a legal interest in the enforcement of public duties by INEC, emphasizing that the Electoral Act 2022 outlines specific electoral offenses, including provisions for trial in relevant courts and prosecution by INEC legal officers.

In granting orders against INEC, the judgment stated:

“AN ORDER OF MANDAMUS is hereby made directing and compelling INEC to seek the appointment of independent counsel to investigate allegations of electoral offences including bribery, vote-buying, conspiracy, and undue influence against state governors and their deputies during the 2023 general elections.”

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“AN ORDER OF MANDAMUS is hereby made directing and compelling INEC to promptly, thoroughly and effectively investigate reports of electoral violence and other electoral offences committed during the 2023 general elections, identify suspected perpetrators and their sponsors, and ensure their effective prosecution.”

“AN ORDER OF MANDAMUS is hereby made directing and compelling INEC to swiftly prosecute all arrested electoral offenders in the just concluded 2023 general election in the custody of the Nigeria Police Force, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, and other law enforcement agencies.”

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Previously, on July 20, 2024, SERAP requested that Professor Yakubu “use his good offices and leadership position to immediately enforce the judgment ordering INEC to pursue cases of electoral offences including bribery against state governors and their deputies during the chaotic 2023 general elections.”

SERAP’s contempt lawsuit against INEC and Professor Yakubu is filed under section 72 of the Sheriff and Civil Process Act and Order IX, Rule 13 of the Judgment (Enforcement) Rules of Court.

No date has yet been set for the hearing of the contempt suit.

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The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has achieved a historic victory by winning all chairmanship and councillorship positions in the recently concluded local government elections across Kano State’s 44 local government areas.

Sani Malumfashi, Chairman of the Kano Independent Electoral Commission (KANSIEC), announced the results at a press briefing, confirming that the NNPP emerged victorious in every contested local government.

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The election saw participation from six political parties and was marked by peaceful conduct throughout the state, with no reports of violence or electoral misconduct.

“We are pleased to announce that the NNPP has won all the chairmanship and councillorship seats across the 44 local government areas. The election was conducted in a transparent and orderly manner, and we did not receive any reports of violence,” Malumfashi stated.

Election observers praised the organization and security measures in place, deeming the election a significant achievement for the state.

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The elections were conducted following a series of legal battles that had sought to prevent them from taking place.

On Friday, the Kano State High Court ruled in favor of KANSIEC, allowing the elections to proceed and nullifying attempts by political parties, including the All Progressives Congress (APC), to halt the process.

Justice Sanusi Ma’aji, who presided over the case, affirmed that KANSIEC is constitutionally empowered to conduct and oversee local government elections in the state.

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Our correspondent gathered that local vigilante groups and officials from the Kano Road Transport Agency (Karota) provided security at polling units, following a court order that restricted the Kano State Police Command from participating in the elections.

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Former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Professor Attahiru Jega, has voiced alarm over the mass emigration of talented young Nigerians, describing this phenomenon as a sign of a troubling loss of hope for the country.

At the launch of the Unveiling and Rebranding Nigeria Initiative in Abuja on Saturday, Jega urged committed citizens to work towards restoring optimism about Nigeria’s future.

He highlighted the country’s current challenges, including its status as the “poverty capital of the world” and the rise of the “Japa” trend, where young people leave for better opportunities abroad.

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“This trend symbolizes a dangerous loss of hope, one that dedicated patriots must counter by restoring faith in the country’s future,” he stated.

Reflecting on Nigeria’s past, Jega noted that the post-independence period once positioned the country as a source of inspiration across Africa and among Black communities worldwide, praising the selfless leadership of the First Republic for laying a solid foundation for nation-building.

Jega also urged Nigerians to reject the notion that Nigeria is a failed state.

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“We must reject the narrative of a failed state and work to reform our systems, bridging divisions to build a nation that serves all its citizens,” he emphasized.

Meanwhile, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, represented by Lanre Isa-Onilu, the Director-General of the National Orientation Agency, insisted that citizens deserve more than empty promises.

He stressed the need for government actions to reflect commitments made to the people.

“To keep our commitments, we must ensure that our implementations reflect the promises made to our citizens. The issue of leadership is intertwined with the challenge of managing relationships,” Idris noted. He asserted that citizens need tangible results, not just promises.

Idris also discussed plans to nationalize cartoon content to better reflect Nigeria’s cultural values.

He pointed out the importance of engaging children with media that resonates with their heritage, announcing an upcoming animation festival in Lagos to showcase local talent.

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URNI Patron, Ambassador Hassan Tukur, highlighted that Nigeria’s advancement depends on leadership characterized by integrity and competence.

He called for a revival of the strong connections that once united Nigerians across ethnic and religious lines, attributing the nation’s socio-economic challenges to a lack of effective leadership.

Tukur urged leaders to prioritize job creation, resource mobilization, and national unity to address these pressing issues.

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The PDP National Progressive Youth Initiative, a leading youth faction within the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), has issued a stern warning to Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his allies in the National Assembly, specifically addressing what it deems continued attacks on the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.

In a statement on Friday, the youth group condemned Rep. Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere, representing Ideato North South Federal Constituency of Imo State, for his public criticisms of Wike, noting that Ugochinyere frequently aligns himself with Governor Fubara’s stance in Rivers State.

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The group’s statement follows Ugochinyere’s recent media claims that pro-Wike factions are using court actions to limit Governor Fubara’s access to Rivers State funds.

Ugochinyere asserted, “The APC and the pro-Wike faction are currently filing a lawsuit at the Federal High Court to block allocations meant for Rivers State. This is the second time the Wike group has attempted to create a constitutional crisis. They already have a pending case to seize all state and local government funds, and now they’re using the Wike-APC faction to file yet another suit to halt the Federal Accounts Allocation Committee.”

In response, the PDP Youth Initiative, led by President Comrade Billy Matthew Nwachukwu and Secretary-General David Terna Gondo, rebuked both Fubara and Ugochinyere, accusing them of deflecting from issues of transparency and accountability.

“They appear reluctant to embrace accountability,” the statement said. “The PDP will no longer tolerate any attacks on the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, who is tirelessly advancing Nigeria’s development through his infrastructure agenda in the Federal Capital Territory.”

The group also raised questions about Fubara and Ugochinyere’s motives, suggesting that their criticisms may stem from a desire to avoid scrutiny over their own responsibilities, particularly in holding local government elections.

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“They have engaged in unprincipled tactics,” the group added. “Sadly, some individuals have entered the National Assembly through dubious means, claiming to have paid substantial amounts for committee roles despite lacking a legitimate income source.”

The PDP youth wing urged the constituents of Ideato Federal Constituency to demand more from their representative.

“If he cannot fulfill his legislative duties, he should acknowledge his limitations and allow someone more capable to represent them,” the statement continued.

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The group warned it would mobilize a protest at the National Assembly if Speaker Tajudeen Abbas does not address Ugochinyere’s conduct, calling Wike an invaluable asset to the country and President Tinubu’s administration.