Court Nullifies Contempt Order Against INEC Chairman

A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Bwari has nullified the contempt order against Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Mahmood Yakubu,  and Victor Ike-Oye, immediate past Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).

The contempt order was initially issued on 9 November, 2023, by Justice Mohammed Madugu, who found Yakubu and Oye guilty of disobeying the court’s earlier order to recognize Chief Edozie Njoku as the National Chairman of APGA.

However, on Wednesday, 22 January, 2025, Yakubu’s lawyer, Ahmed Mohammed, informed the court on July 11, 2024, that his client had complied with the order and recognized Njoku as APGA’s National Chairman. On the other hand, Oye failed to comply and instead appealed the decision, leading to a delay in his sentencing.

Recall that on November 27, 2024, the Supreme Court recognized Sly Ezeokenwa as the National Chairman of APGA.

In light of the Supreme Court’s judgment, Michael Ajara, lawyer to the applicants, Otunba Camaru Ogidan and Alhaji Rabiu Mustapha, applied to terminate the contempt proceedings against Yakubu and Ike-Oye. Justice Madugu granted the application, discharging the earlier committal order and striking out the case.

Ajara explained that his clients had decided to discontinue the case, citing their willingness to abide by the Supreme Court’s judgment.

He said, “Our clients, being law abiding, have since expressed their willingness to abide by the Supreme Court judgment on the issue.

“So, they saw no reason to further pursue this case and instructed us to withdraw it, which we just did. 

“The judge saw reasons in the steps we took and agreed with us.”