The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has filed a contempt lawsuit against Mahmood Yakubu, chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
SERAP filed the suit against the INEC boss “for failing to investigate the allegations of electoral offences committed during the 2023 general elections, identify suspected perpetrators, and their sponsors, and ensure their effective prosecution.”
Recall that Justice Obiora Atuegwu Egwuatu of the Federal High Court, Abuja, had on 18 July, 2024 ordered INEC to pursue cases of bribery against state governors and their deputies, and other electoral offences committed during the 2023 general elections.
The judge also instructed INEC to seek the appointment of an independent counsel to probe allegations of electoral offences including bribery, vote-buying, conspiracy, and undue influence against state governors and their deputies during the 2023 general elections.
However, INEC and Professor Yakubu have failed and/or refused to implement the judgment.
The court in the notice of consequences of disobedience to order warned Professor Yakubu that he would be guilty of contempt of Court and liable to be committed to prison if he fails to obey the judgment orders.
The notice, addressed to Professor Yakubu, read in part: “take notice that unless you obey the Orders contained in the Judgment of the 18th July 2024 made by Justice Egwuatu of the Federal High Court, Abuja in Suit Number: FHC/ABJ/CS/583/2023, a copy of which is hereto attached, you will be guilty of contempt of Court and will be liable to be committed to prison.”
SEPRAP in a statement on Sunday, October 27, 2024, signed by SERAP deputy director, Kolawole Oluwadare said despite the service of the certified true copy of the judgment on INEC and Prof Yakubu, “they have failed and/or refused to obey it.”
The organisation said, “It’s unacceptable to treat the court, which is the guardian of justice in this country, with disdain. A democratic state based on the rule of law cannot exist or function if INEC and its chairman routinely ignore and/or fail to abide by court orders. Despite the service of the certified true copy of the judgement on INEC and Professor Yakubu, they have failed and/or refused to obey it.
“The recurring cases of electoral bribery and violence mock Nigeria’s electoral process and participatory democracy. The latest allegations of electoral offences in Edo State show that INEC has learnt little or nothing from the well-documented problems of the 2023 general elections.”