The Federal High Court in Osogbo, Osun State, has issued a dramatic order directing the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, to arrest Professor Mahmood Yakubu, Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), for contempt of court and failure to comply with prior judicial directives. The ruling, delivered on September 29, 2025, by Justice Funmilola Demi-Ajayi, stems from a prolonged dispute involving the Action Alliance political party and its leadership crisis.The court’s decision follows INEC’s alleged refusal to recognize the state chairmen elected under the Adekunle Rufai Omoaje-led National Executive Committee (NEC) of the Action Alliance, as mandated by an earlier court judgment. The Action Alliance, represented by counsel K.O. Etibo, filed for enforcement through Forms 48 and 49, accusing Yakubu of “flagrant disobedience” and seeking his committal to prison. Justice Demi-Ajayi upheld the validity of the party’s national convention held at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library in Abeokuta, Ogun State, which produced Omoaje as national chairman. The judge noted that INEC officials had monitored the convention, which complied with the party’s constitution and the Electoral Act.The court ordered the IGP to produce Yakubu to show cause why he should not be imprisoned for non-compliance. This marks the third time Yakubu has faced contempt-related arrest orders, with similar rulings issued in 2018 by the Federal High Court in Abuja and in 2022 by the FCT Area Council Election Tribunal over unrelated issues. No reports confirm Yakubu’s arrest as of September 30, 2025, and INEC has yet to issue an official statement on the matter.The federal government, through the Ministry of Justice, has not commented, but sources indicate INEC may seek to appeal the order or comply through administrative adjustments.
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