Osogbo / Abuja, October 8, 2025 — A Federal High Court sitting in Osogbo, Osun State, has issued an order for the arrest and committal of Professor Mahmood Yakubu, the recently retired chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The directive stems from his alleged failure to comply with a court judgment mandating the relisting of national leadership of the Action Alliance (AA) party on INEC’s public portal.
What the Court Ruled
Justice Adefunmilola Demi-Ajayi, presiding over the case, held that both INEC and Professor Yakubu (as a former party) had disregarded the earlier judgment delivered in Suit No. FHC/OS/CS/194/2024. In that judgment, the court ordered that INEC should restore the names of the National Chairman of AA, Adekunle Rufai Omoaje, and other NEC (National Executive Committee) members to its official portal.
Because the court deemed the directive unfulfilled, the judge mandated the following:
-
The Inspector General of Police (IGP) is to effect the arrest of INEC (as an entity) and Professor Yakubu (as an individual) for contempt.
-
The parties are to face committal proceedings within seven days of the ruling.
-
A cost judgment of ₦100,000 was awarded against the defendants (INEC and Yakubu) in favor of the plaintiffs.
Context & Reactions
-
The dispute was initiated by Action Alliance, which challenged INEC’s omission of Omoaje’s name from its portal despite a court directive.
-
INEC had claimed partial compliance, but the AA contended that critical elements—especially the national chairman’s name—were still unlisted.
-
The court’s order follows closely after Yakubu’s tenure at INEC came to an end, amplifying its political and symbolic weight.
-
Legal observers suggest this could be one of the most consequential rulings tying former officeholders directly to accountability via contempt processes.
What Happens Next
-
The IGP is expected to comply with the order, although practical steps and timing remain uncertain.
-
Yakubu (or his legal team) may seek to challenge the order or argue technical defenses before committal is enforced.
-
The decision may set a precedent about how strictly courts can enforce compliance against past public officials via contempt orders.
-
The question now turns to whether law enforcement and judicial authorities will carry out the arrest, or whether procedural appeals will stay the order.
Significance for Nigerian Governance
This development underscores a growing interplay between the judiciary and electoral institutions in Nigeria. The ruling effectively places a former electoral commission boss under potential arrest for disobedience of court order—a move that may recalibrate how public officials view judicial oversight.
For FundPeepS readers, this case bears examination for:
-
Rule of Law & Accountability: Can courts enforce judgments against former leaders?
-
Precedent Setting: Will future electoral institution heads be more cautious about obeying judicial mandates?
-
Institutional Independence: How will INEC’s perceived neutrality be affected when its own past chairman is hauled before court?
We will monitor responses from INEC, Yakubu’s legal team, and the Nigerian Police in the coming days for further developments.