Court Orders Arrest of INEC Chairman Over Alleged Contempt

The Federal High Court sitting in Osogbo, Osun State, has ordered the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, to arrest the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, for alleged contempt of court.

The ruling came after INEC reportedly failed to comply with a subsisting judgment delivered in favour of the Action Alliance (AA). The party had asked the court to compel the electoral body to recognise all state chairmen elected under the leadership of Adekunle Rufai Omoaje, who had earlier been affirmed by the court as AA’s National Chairman.

Presiding judge, Justice Funmilola Demi-Ajayi, expressed displeasure over what she described as INEC’s disregard for the rule of law. She ordered Prof. Yakubu to restore the names of the affected state chairmen on the commission’s portal within seven days.

The court also imposed a fine of ₦100,000 on the INEC boss for failing to obey its earlier directive. Justice Demi-Ajayi warned that if Yakubu failed to comply within the stipulated period, the police must enforce his immediate arrest.

The dispute stems from a protracted leadership crisis within the Action Alliance, with rival factions laying claim to the national chairmanship of the party. The court had previously ruled that the convention which produced Omoaje as National Chairman was valid, having been conducted in line with the Electoral Act and the party’s constitution, and duly monitored by INEC officials.

With the fresh order, tensions have risen between INEC and political stakeholders, sparking concerns over the commission’s commitment to obeying judicial pronouncements. Analysts say the development could further test INEC’s credibility and its handling of intra-party disputes ahead of future elections.