A Federal High Court sitting in Osogbo, Osun State, has ordered the arrest and imprisonment of the immediate-past Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, for contempt of court. Justice Adefunmilola Demi-Ajayi issued the order on Monday, September 29, 2025, just before Professor Yakubu stepped down from his position after completing his tenure.

The order mandates the Inspector General of Police to arrest the former INEC boss and commence committal proceedings against him within seven days. The court also imposed a fine of ₦100,000 against both INEC and Yakubu.

This ruling stems from a suit marked FHC/OS/CS/194/2024, filed by the Action Alliance party and several of its state chairmen. The plaintiffs had sought the court’s intervention to compel INEC and Yakubu to comply with a subsisting judgment delivered on February 17, 2025. The earlier judgment had directed the electoral commission to relist the national officers of the Action Alliance, led by Hon. Adekunle Rufai Omoaje, on its official website, after their names were allegedly unlawfully removed from the portal.

In her ruling, Justice Demi-Ajayi held that the defendants’ failure to implement the court’s order constituted clear contempt. The court’s certified order states, “The Inspector General of Police shall cause the arrest and shall charge the Defendants/Judgement Debtors for contempt and committal proceedings within seven days of this ruling.” The judge emphasized that court orders must be obeyed regardless of the status or office of the individuals involved.

The plaintiffs in the case include the Action Alliance, Professor Julius Adebowale, Engr. Olowookere Alabi, Barr. Chinwuba Zulyke, Oladele Sunday, Simon Itokwe, and Araoye Oyewole, who represented themselves and 30 other state chairmen of the party.

Professor Yakubu officially handed over his responsibilities on Tuesday, with Mrs. May Agbamuche-Mbu, a National Commissioner, assuming office as the acting Chairman of INEC. Despite his exit from the commission, the court has proceeded with its order for his arrest for the alleged disobedience of its judgment.