A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has ordered the arrest and detention of the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, over alleged contempt of court. The order, issued on Thursday by Justice Inyang Ekwo, followed Yakubu’s alleged failure to comply with an earlier judgment directing the commission to recognize a factional leadership of a political party in a pending suit. Justice Ekwo, in a strongly worded ruling, held that the INEC chairman had shown “utter disregard for the authority of the court” by refusing to obey a valid and subsisting order.
The conduct of the respondent amounts to deliberate contempt of this court. Consequently, a bench warrant is hereby issued for the immediate arrest of Prof. Mahmood Yakubu,” the judge declared.
The case was reportedly filed by a factional chairman of one of the registered political parties, who accused INEC of disobeying a court order mandating the commission to update the party’s leadership details in its official records. Counsel to the applicant, Chief Nnamdi Eze, had earlier informed the court that all efforts to compel INEC to comply with the judgment had been ignored, prompting the contempt proceedings.
This act of disobedience undermines the rule of law and the sanctity of the judiciary. No one, no matter how highly placed, is above the law,” Eze argued. However, INEC’s counsel, Mr. Abdulazeez Ibrahim, pleaded with the court to stay execution of the arrest order, explaining that the commission had already initiated steps to comply with the earlier directive. Justice Ekwo, however, dismissed the plea, insisting that court orders must be obeyed before any request for leniency could be considered. The judge directed the Inspector-General of Police to execute the arrest warrant and produce the INEC chairman before the court on the next adjourned date.
Reacting to the ruling, sources within INEC described the development as “unfortunate,” insisting that the commission has always respected judicial pronouncements.
The chairman is a law-abiding public servant. INEC will study the ruling and take appropriate legal steps,” a senior official said. The ruling has generated wide interest among legal and political observers, given the sensitive role of INEC in Nigeria’s democratic process. Meanwhile, the court has adjourned the matter till October 21, 2025, for further proceedings.
