Court Bailiff Serves INEC Chairman Mahmood Yakubu with Contempt Charge Over Disobedience of Court Order
The Federal High Court in Abuja has taken decisive action against the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Mahmood Yakubu, by serving him a contempt charge for allegedly disobeying a court order. This charge stems from the refusal of INEC to recognise the outcome of the National Rescue Mission (NRM) emergency convention that elected Chief Edozie Njoku as the party’s leader.
On Thursday, June 20, 2025, court bailiff Ayuba Sule served the Form 48 contempt notice at INEC’s headquarters in Abuja, following the directive of Justice Obiora Egwuatu on June 17. The Form 48 serves as a legal notice warning of the consequences of defying a valid court order and represents the first step towards committal proceedings.
INEC Staff Allegedly Decline to Accept Documents
According to NRM’s National Publicity Secretary, Anselem Nebeife, INEC staff initially resisted accepting the court documents. The bailiff was directed from the INEC Chairman’s office to the legal department, where staff also declined to take the papers. Frustrated, the bailiff left the court order and Form 48 at the legal department as required by the court’s substituted service order.
Legal Background and Court Proceedings
The court had granted substituted service after NRM’s counsel, Oladimeji Ekengba, argued that INEC and its chairman ignored a mandamus order issued on March 5, 2025. The order directed INEC to recognise the leadership changes within the party, but INEC allegedly failed to comply.
An affidavit filed by Adebayo Wasiu highlighted that INEC’s failure to honour the order could undermine the authority of the judiciary. As a result, the court issued Form 48 to compel compliance or face potential imprisonment.
The case is set for mention on July 15, 2025, at the Federal High Court, Abuja.
