The National Rescue Mission (NRM) filed a contempt case against Professor Mahmood Yakubu, the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), which was duly served by the Federal High Court in Abuja.
In response to a June 17 ruling by Justice Obiora Egwuatu, a court bailiff, Ayuba Sule, issued the Form 48—a notice of the consequences of violating a lawful court order—at the INEC headquarters in Abuja on Thursday, June 20, 2025. The INEC chairman is now facing the first stage of contempt and committal proceedings.
The bailiff could deliver the documents to any INEC employee because the court had earlier ordered that service be completed by substituted means.
NRM’s National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Anselem Nebeife, stated in a statement on Friday that INEC employees first rejected the documents. The allegation claims that when the bailiff went to the INEC chairman’s office, employees requested his identification. The staff recommended him to the legal department after examining the materials. The bailiff left the paperwork in front of the department after authorities there also refused to accept the service.
Read Also: Wike: Rich Residents Pose Major Challenge to FCT Development
Following the filing of an ex parte motion by Mr. Oladimeji Ekengba, the attorney for NRM, the substituted service was approved. He maintained that INEC and its chairman had disregarded a March 5 mandamus order directing them to acknowledge the results of an emergency convention that chose Chief Edozie Njoku to lead the NRM.
Mr. Adebayo Wasiu claimed in an affidavit that INEC was aware of the court order but had disregarded it. Noting that Form 48 requires the chairman to provide an explanation for why he should not be imprisoned for non-compliance, the affidavit underlined the importance of upholding the court’s authority.
The court scheduled a mention for July 15, 2025.
