See Why Court Declares Arrest Of Ex INEC Chair, Prof Mahmood Yakubu

See Why Court Declares Arrest Of Ex INEC Chair, Prof Mahmood Yakubu

Justice Adefunmilola Demi-Ajayi of the Federal High Court in Osogbo, Osun State, has ordered the arrest and imprisonment of Professor Mahmood Yakubu for allegedly disobeying a subsisting court judgment.

The court’s order, delivered on Monday, September 29, 2025, prior to Yakubu’s exit from office—stated that the former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) failed to comply with its directive to relist the national officers of the Action Alliance (AA) on the Commission’s website.

The Action Alliance, in suit number FHC/OS/194/2024, had approached the court seeking an order compelling INEC and Professor Yakubu to restore the names of the Rufai Omoaje-led National Executive of the party, which were allegedly removed from the Commission’s portal without due process.

Some of the certified copy of the order released on Wednesday reads, “Upon the Motion on Notice dated the 14th of May 2025 brought pursuant to Order 35 rule (1-3) of the Federal High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules 2019; Section 72 of the Sheriff and Civil Process Act; Order 9 rule 13 of the Judgement Enforcement Rules and under the inherent jurisdiction of this Honourable Court; the Plaintiffs/Judgement Creditors seek the following reliefs:

“AN ORDER of committal to the Correctional Centre (formerly Prison) of the 1st Defendant (INEC) and the 2nd Defendant (Prof. Mahmood Yakubu) (Contemnors) for disobeying the Judgement/Orders of the Federal High Court, Osogbo, Osun State in Suit No: FHC/OS/CS/194/2024 delivered on the 17th of February 2025.

“An Order compelling the 1 Defendant (INEC) and 2nd Defendant (Prof. Mahood Yakubu) 9 contemnors) to comply with the Judgement/Orders of the Federal High Court, Osogbo, Osun State, that ordered that the names of the Plaintiffs who are State Chairmen of Action Alliance, elected under Hon. Adekunle Rufai Omoaje-led Executive Committee that was unconstitutionally removed from INEC’s State Portal, to be restored and that the 1st and 2nd Defendant respect all Judgements in favour of the National Committee (NEC) of Hon. Adekunle Rufai Omoaje, among other orders.

“An Order for costs for the 1st and 2nd Defendants (Contemnors) acts of contempt resulting in financial and private injuries to the Plaintiffs.

“And for such order or further orders that this Honourable Court may deem fit to make in the circumstances”.

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.

The defendants are INEC and Professor Mahmood Yakubu.

Meanwhile, Professor Yakubu officially stepped down as INEC Chairman on Tuesday after completing his tenure, with Mrs. May Agbamuche-Mbu assuming office as Acting Chairman.