INEC Chairman Nears Jail: Court’s Deadline Approaches

Justice Mohammed Madugu of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in Bwari has issued a critical order to the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof Yakubu Mahmood, and ex-factional Chairman of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Chief Victor Oye, to remedy their contempt of court. The judge has granted them a tight deadline of 14 days to comply with the court’s orders or risk legal consequences.

Justice Madugu’s order stems from a committal proceeding (Form 49) related to a motion on notice (FCT/HC/CV/4068/2023) filed against Chief Victor Oye and the INEC Chairman by Otunba Camaru Lateef Ogidan (the National Vice Chairman, South West Geopolitical Zone of APGA) and Alhaji Rabiu Mustapha (the National Welfare Officer of APGA). These two APGA National Working Committee members were elected during the APGA Owerri Convention on May 31, 2019, under the leadership of Chief Edozie Njoku.

The applicants had sought a court order to hold the INEC Chairman and Victor Oye responsible for violating a valid court order issued on May 10. This earlier court order had prohibited Oye and APGA from conducting Ward, Local Government, State Congresses, and Convention. The motion was represented by Michael Ajara and Panam Ntui on behalf of the APGA officials.

Justice Madugu had, on May 10, 2023, ordered both the INEC Chairman and Oye “to maintain the status quo ante bellum” until the hearing of the preliminary objection, filed on May 9, 2023, by the 1st Defendant/Applicant, Chief Victor Oye.

In his judgment, Justice Madugu clarified that since the INEC Chairman and Oye had not appealed the court’s order issued on May 10, they were found to be in contempt of court. He emphasized the significance of respecting court orders, stating, “A court order must not be disregarded, as doing so undermines the court’s integrity and sanctity.”

In response to this court order, Michael Ajara stated that the court had shown leniency by allowing the respondents 14 days to rectify their contemptuous actions. He emphasized that the only remedy was for them to obey the May 10 court order; otherwise, they would face legal consequences.