The Federal High Court in Abuja has formally notified Professor Mahmood Yakubu, Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), of contempt proceedings filed by the National Rescue Mission (NRM).
This action follows an earlier court order requiring INEC to recognize the leadership of the NRM under Chief Edozie Njoku.
On June 17, Justice Obiora Egwuatu approved a substituted service method allowing the court bailiff, Ayuba Sule, to serve the documents to any INEC staff member at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja.
When the bailiff first approached the INEC Chairman’s office, the staff asked him to identify himself, and after he showed his official ID and explained the document, they refused to accept it and directed him to the legal department.
At the legal department, a similar response occurred as an official quickly skimmed the document and returned it without formally receiving it.
Frustrated, the bailiff left the court order and Form 48—the notice explaining the consequences of ignoring court orders—at the legal office before leaving the premises.
The NRM had earlier approached the court claiming that INEC and its Chairman had failed to obey a mandamus order issued on March 5, which instructed INEC to recognize the party’s executives following an emergency convention held on January 17.
The NRM’s lawyer, Oladimeji Ekengba, stated that INEC was aware of the convention and the court ruling but refused to comply.
The court’s registrar issued the Form 48 to compel the INEC Chairman to explain why he should not be held in contempt for disobeying the court’s judgment.
The NRM also explained that direct service to the Chairman was difficult because INEC receives legal processes only at a specific registry point under tight protocols, making personal service impossible.
The case is now adjourned until July 15, when further actions will be considered.
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