The National Rescue Movement, NRM, has activated contempt proceeding against the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Professor Mahmoud Yakubu for violating the judgment of the Federal High Court, Abuja.
DAILY POST reports that over five months after the NRM’s Emergency Convention held in Abuja, which produced the current National Working Committee, NWC, led by Chief Edozie Njoku, the Yakubu-led INEC had yet to recognise or relate with the party’s leadership in that capacity.
The electoral body’s excuse for not monitoring the election had since been trashed by the court.
The court, in a January 16 ruling in a suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/ 45/ 25, had issued an order of mandamus directing INEC to monitor the convention the NRM held the next day and accept its outcome.
The said convention was organised to correct the lopsidedness and lack of Federal Character in the National Executive Committee, NEC, of the party, in compliance with section 82(1) and 83 (1) of the Electoral Act.
Despite the court order, INEC has not recognized the party’s leadership.
Speaking on Tuesday after obtaining Form 48, a notice of consequences of disobedience to the order of court, to be served on Yakubu, NRM lawyer, Oladimeji Ikemgba, said the rule of law must be respected.
“What transpired in court today is simple, we have started or activated contempt proceeding against Professor Mahmoud Yakubu, the National Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, for violating the judgment order of the Federal High Court.
“So we believe that as an institution, justice and rule of law must be respected. But if you don’t respect it, then you have your day in court and you find your way to the prison once you fail to purge yourself of contempt.
“So the Federal High Court today graciously granted an order for us to serve Professor Mahmoud Yakubu Form 48 by delivering to any of his staff.
“Of course, we know contempt proceedings is a criminal proceeding which must be served personally but because we can’t serve him personally because you know he goes about with a lot security men, the court have allowed us to serve him through his staff and which will be done immediately.”
Also speaking, National Chairman of the NRM, Chief Edozie Njoku, said, “I thank the press for the attention they are paying to such a thing going on in this country where a whole political party could be held ransom by one department in INEC called the EPN. It’s incredible.
“And the major question is, why would a department in INEC want not obey a court judgement? I’m choosing my words very carefully.
“I can’t understand what’s going on, but Nigerians should keep asking. And I’m happy that the court found it fit to serve the chairman of the commission with a substituted service to come and have his day in court in the next few weeks.”
NRM moves to send INEC boss, Yakubu to jail for disobeying court order
