By Anifowoshe Oladipupo
Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Mahmood Yakubu, has been served with Form 49 by the Federal High Court in Abuja, putting him at risk of imprisonment for alleged disobedience of a court order.
The court bailiff, Ayuba Sule, delivered the notice on Tuesday on behalf of the National Rescue Movement (NRM), following INEC’s alleged failure to comply with a ruling issued on March 5, 2025.
Form 49 is a legal notice requiring a person to appear before the court and explain why they should not be jailed for contempt, typically served after the earlier Form 48, which warns of the consequences of disobeying a court order. If the person fails to comply within two days of receiving Form 48, the court may proceed with Form 49 to enforce compliance.
Justice Egwuatu’s ruling on March 5 had ordered INEC to recognize and accept the outcomes of NRM’s Emergency National Convention held on January 17, 2025.
According to a statement by NRM spokesperson Chinedu Anselem, “By the service of Form 49, Mahmood has just a few days to comply with the judgment of the court or he will be docked in court, where he will have to explain why he has refused to obey its judgment.”
Anselem accused Yakubu of having a record of defying court orders, warning that such defiance undermines the rule of law.
“The party is resolute in its determination to prove to Nigerians that our primary duty as citizens is to hold public office holders accountable and ensure they operate within the bounds of the law,” the statement added. “They must not be allowed to play God.”
INEC, however, through its legal adviser, said the matter is already being addressed and is in the process of resolution.
