The Federal High Court in Abuja has formally served the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, with contempt proceedings initiated by the National Rescue Mission, intensifying the party’s ongoing legal battle for recognition of its executive leadership.
Court bailiff Ayuba Sule carried out the service of Form 48—a formal notice outlining the consequences of disobeying court orders—at INEC’s headquarters on Tuesday. The action followed a June 17 ruling by Justice Obiora Egwuatu granting permission for substituted service, after several unsuccessful attempts to serve the INEC chairman directly.
The contempt charge stems from INEC’s alleged refusal to comply with a March 5 order of mandamus, which directed the commission to acknowledge Chief Edozie Njoku’s executive committee as the legitimate leadership of the NRM.
Describing the events surrounding the service, NRM’s National Publicity Secretary, Anselem Chinedu Nebeife, said: “Mr Ayuba first got to the INEC Chairman’s office, but his staff requested him to identify himself… After reading the document, they quickly gave it back and told him to visit the legal department.”
At the legal department, he added, “another drama ensued” before the bailiff eventually “dropped the court order and Form 48 in front of the legal department.”
The underlying conflict arose from an emergency convention held by NRM on January 17, aimed at “filling vacancies and correcting lopsidedness” within its National Executive Committee. According to court filings, the party’s legal counsel, Oladimeji Ekengba, accused INEC of wilfully ignoring the court’s directive despite being fully aware of it.
“Despite being aware, the Judgement Debtor (INEC) refused to comply… to date,” Ekengba stated, noting that the contempt motion was necessary to prevent rendering the judiciary “a toothless bulldog.”
In a supporting affidavit, Adebayo Wasiu explained the need for substituted service: “The Judgement Debtor/Respondent’s Chairman placed numerous protocols, and the bailiff… will not be able to serve him personally.” The document also noted that INEC’s legal representative, M.A. Bawa, had been present when the original judgment was delivered, but the commission still failed to comply.
Justice Egwuatu has adjourned the matter to July 15 for further proceedings. The case presents a growing challenge for Nigeria’s electoral body, as it faces increasing legal pressure to recognize the Njoku-led NRM faction or risk the unprecedented development of its chairman being held in contempt of court—an outcome that could have significant implications for electoral governance ahead of future elections.
