A federal high court in Abuja has served Mahmood Yakubu, chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), with a contempt charge over alleged disobedience of a court order.
The National Rescue Mission (NRM) filed the charge, claiming that INEC and its chairman failed to comply with a mandamus order issued on March 5, which directed the commission to recognize the outcome of an emergency convention held by the party.
The court had granted an application for substituted service after hearing an ex parte motion filed by Oladimeji Ekengba, counsel to NRM, due to difficulties in personally serving Yakubu.
When the court bailiff visited INEC headquarters to serve the documents, no staff member was willing to accept them, leading to the documents being left at the entrance of INEC’s legal department.
The NRM accused INEC of ignoring the court ruling despite being fully aware of its content and legal implications.
The matter has been adjourned to July 15 for mention, and INEC’s chairman may face prison time if found guilty of contempt.
