The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has filed a contempt lawsuit against Professor Mahmood Yakubu, Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), for failing to act on allegations of electoral offences during the 2023 general elections.
The Federal High Court in Abuja, presided over by Justice Obiora Atuegwu Egwuatu, issued a judgement on July 18, 2024, instructing INEC to investigate and pursue cases of electoral misconduct, including bribery and vote-buying involving state governors and their deputies. The court also directed INEC to seek the appointment of independent counsel to conduct these investigations.
Despite the ruling, SERAP asserts that INEC and Yakubu have not implemented the court’s orders. The Federal High Court has issued a warning notice to Yakubu, emphasising that failure to comply could result in him being held in contempt of court and potentially facing imprisonment. The notice states that unless Yakubu adheres to the orders from the July judgment, he will be held liable for contempt.
In a statement issued on October 27, 2024, SERAP’s Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, criticised the disregard for the court’s authority, stressing that such actions undermine the rule of law. Oluwadare noted that both INEC and Yakubu had been served with the certified true copy of the judgement but had failed to comply with the directives, describing it as an insult to the judiciary and a threat to democratic principles in Nigeria.
