INEC Chairman Yakubu Risks Jail as Court Serves Form 49 Over Disobedience

The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, has been formally served with Form 49 by the Federal High Court in Abuja, escalating the legal standoff between the electoral body and the National Rescue Movement (NRM). The document, served on Tuesday by court bailiff Ayuba Sule on behalf of the NRM, is a formal notice requiring Yakubu to appear before the court and explain why he should not be committed to prison for alleged contempt.

This development follows the earlier service of Form 48 last week, which warned the INEC boss of the legal consequences of disobeying a court order. Under Nigerian law, Form 49 is issued when a respondent fails to comply with a court order within two days of receiving Form 48. It is a necessary step before a possible committal to prison for contempt of court.

The legal battle stems from a March 5, 2025 judgment by Justice Egwuatu of the Federal High Court, which directed INEC to recognize the decisions made at the NRM’s Emergency National Convention held on January 17, 2025. The NRM accuses Yakubu of failing to comply with the ruling.

In a statement issued by NRM spokesperson Chinedu Anselem, the party warned that Yakubu risks being docked in court and potentially jailed if he does not obey the judgment. The party emphasized its commitment to holding public officials accountable and upholding the rule of law. “Mahmoud’s defiance to court orders may have earned him an indelible scar that can make him easily identifiable wherever he goes,” the statement read.

The party called on Nigerians to join in demanding that public officers operate within the boundaries of the law, warning against any attempt to act above judicial authority.

Responding to questions from *Daily Post* during a media briefing on Wednesday, Prof. Yakubu acknowledged being served with both Forms 48 and 49, stating that he is familiar with the process. He added, through INEC’s legal adviser, that steps were being taken to resolve the matter legally.