Court Serves INEC Chairman Yakubu With Contempt Notice Over Disobedience
The Federal High Court in Abuja has served the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, with Form 48 — a contempt notice warning of the consequences of disobeying a court order.
The notice was delivered at the INEC national headquarters by a court bailiff, Ayuba Sule, in compliance with an order issued by Justice Obiora Egwuatu on June 17.
The judge had directed that the process be served through substituted means, allowing any INEC staff member to receive the documents on behalf of the Chairman.
This development stems from a case filed by the National Rescue Mission (NRM), which accused INEC of failing to comply with a judgment delivered on March 5.
The court had ordered the Commission to recognise the Chief Edozie Njoku-led executives produced at an emergency convention held by the NRM on January 17.
In a statement, NRM’s National Publicity Secretary, Mr Anselem Chinedu Nebeife, said, “Mr Ayuba first got to the INEC Chairman’s office, but his staff requested him to identify himself. Ayuba obliged them with his official identity card, and after reading the content of the document he handed over to them, they quickly gave it back to him and told him to visit the legal department.
“On getting to the legal department, another drama ensued involving Ayuba and another INEC staff.
“Upon handing over the document to the staff, the said staff stealthily scanned through and speedily returned it.
“Angered by their disposition, Ayuba dropped the court order and the accompanying Form 48 in front of the legal department and left the commission.”
Justice Egwuatu granted the request for substituted service after hearing an ex parte motion from NRM’s counsel, Mr Oladimeji Ekengba.
In the motion, Ekengba stated, “That the Respondent is aware that the emergency convention, the subject matter of the judgement, was held on 17th January, 2025, even by its own processes before this Honourable Court.
“Notwithstanding that the Judgement Debtor/Respondent’s Counsel by name M.A. Bawa was in Court when the Judgement was delivered, the Judgement Creditor took the pain to still serve the Judgement Debtor/Respondent with a copy of the Enrolled Order of the Judgement.
“Despite being aware, the Judgement Debtor (INEC) refused to comply with the judgement of this Honourable Court to date.
“In order not to reduce this Honourable Court to a toothless bulldog and also to enhance the cause of justice, the Registrar of this Honourable Court, on the application of the Judgement Creditor, issued FORM 48 to be served on the Chairman of the Respondent in order for him to show cause why he should not be committed to prison for failing to comply with the judgement of this Honourable Court.”
The NRM added in its affidavit that the request for substituted service was necessary as the Chairman could not be reached directly.
“That I know that the Bailiff of this Court will not be able to serve the Chairman of the Respondent/Judgement Debtor the Form 48 personally, as the Respondent only receives processes at the gate at a designated registry at Plot 430, Zambezi Crescent Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja.
“That the Judgement Debtor/Respondent’s Chairman placed numerous protocols, and the bailiff of this Court will not be able to serve him the Form 48 issued by this Honourable Court.
“From the disposition of the Judgement Debtor/Respondent, it is practically impossible to serve its Chairman with the FORM 48 personally as required by law, hence this application,” the affidavit, deposed to by Mr Adebayo Wasiu, stated.
The case has been adjourned to July 15 for mention.
Titilope Adako is a talented and intrepid journalist, dedicated to shedding light on the untold stories of Osun State and Nigeria. Through incisive reporting, she tackles a broad spectrum of topics, from politics and social justice to culture and entertainment, with a commitment to accuracy, empathy, and inspiring positive change.
