SHOCKWAVES: Court Orders IGP to Arrest INEC Chairman Mahmood Yakubu Over Contempt

Osogbo, Osun State — In a dramatic twist that has sent ripples through Nigeria’s political and legal landscape, the Federal High Court in Osogbo has ordered the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, to arrest the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, over alleged contempt of court.

The order, delivered by Justice Funmilola Demi-Ajayi, followed INEC’s alleged refusal to comply with a subsisting judgment in favour of the Action Alliance (AA).

The AA had approached the court seeking recognition of all state chairmen elected under the leadership of its National Chairman, Adekunle Rufai Omoaje. The judge, in her ruling, upheld the party’s position, affirming that the convention which produced Omoaje was valid, duly monitored by INEC, and conducted in line with both the Electoral Act and the party’s constitution.

However, despite the ruling, INEC reportedly failed to update its records on the commission’s portal as directed, prompting the court’s stern response.

Justice Demi-Ajayi expressed strong disapproval of what she described as INEC’s blatant disobedience of a valid judgment. She ordered Prof. Yakubu to restore the names of the affected chairmen within seven days and imposed a fine of ₦100,000 on him personally.

Significantly, the court warned that failure to comply with its directives would trigger the immediate arrest of the INEC Chairman by the police.

This latest development raises fresh questions about the credibility of INEC’s leadership and the commission’s commitment to the rule of law, especially at a time when the electoral umpire is under intense scrutiny from political parties and civil society groups nationwide.

With the clock ticking on the seven-day ultimatum, all eyes are now on Prof. Mahmood Yakubu and the police hierarchy to see whether the order will be enforced — a move that could mark an unprecedented moment in Nigeria’s democratic history.