By Shina Abubakar Osogbo
A Federal High Court in Osogbo, Osun State, presided over by Justice Adefunmilola Demi-Ajayi, has issued a directive for the arrest and detention of Professor Mahmood Yakubu due to his failure to comply with a court ruling.
Professor Yakubu recently concluded his tenure as Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), stepping down after completing his term.
Nevertheless, prior to his departure, the court on Monday, September 29, 2025, ruled that Yakubu neglected to enforce an earlier judgment mandating the reinstatement of the Action Alliance’s national officers on INEC’s official website.
The legal action, filed under case number FHC/OS/194/2024, was initiated by the Action Alliance party, which requested the court to compel INEC and its chairman to restore the names of the party’s National Executive Committee led by Rufai Omoaje, which had been unlawfully removed from the commission’s portal.
The certified court order obtained by Vanguard outlines the plaintiffs’ motion dated May 14, 2025, citing relevant procedural rules and statutes. It states:
“Pursuant to Order 35 rules (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 Judgment Enforcement Rules; and the inherent jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, the Plaintiffs/Judgment Creditors seek the following reliefs:
- An order committing the 1st Defendant (INEC) and the 2nd Defendant (Prof. Mahmood Yakubu) to the Correctional Centre for contempt of court, arising from their disobedience of the Federal High Court’s judgment delivered on February 17, 2025, in Suit No: FHC/OS/CS/194/2024.
- A directive compelling the Defendants to comply with the court’s judgment requiring the reinstatement of the Action Alliance’s State Chairmen, elected under the Hon. Adekunle Rufai Omoaje-led Executive Committee, whose names were unlawfully removed from INEC’s State Portal.
- An order awarding costs against the Defendants for the financial and personal damages caused by their contemptuous actions.
- Any other orders the court deems appropriate under the circumstances.”
The judgment further mandates the Inspector General of Police to ensure the arrest of the defendants and initiate contempt proceedings within seven days of the ruling. Additionally, a fine of N100,000 was imposed on the defendants in favor of the plaintiffs.
The plaintiffs in this case include the Action Alliance party, Professor Julius Adebowale, Engineer Olowookere Alabi, Barrister Chinwuba Zulyke, Oladele Sunday, Simon Itokwe, and Araoye Oyewole, representing themselves and over 30 other state chairpersons. INEC and Professor Mahmood Yakubu are named as defendants.
Following this development, Professor Yakubu officially stepped down as INEC Chairman on Tuesday, with Mrs. May Agbamuche-Mbu appointed as the acting chairperson.