Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mahmood Yakubu, has been officially served with Form 49 by the Federal High Court in Abuja, escalating a legal standoff between the Commission and the National Rescue Movement (NRM).
The court bailiff, Ayuba Sule, delivered the document on Tuesday, following an earlier service of Form 48 last week.
Form 49 is a significant legal step in Nigeria’s judicial process. It is issued when a person previously served with Form 48—a warning against disobeying a court order—fails to comply within the stipulated timeframe. Form 49 compels the alleged contemnor to appear before the court and explain why they should not be imprisoned for contempt.
This action stems from a March 5, 2025 judgment by Justice Egwuatu, which ordered INEC to accept and recognize the outcomes of NRM’s Emergency National Convention held on January 17, 2025.
In a statement, NRM spokesperson Chinedu Anselem said:
“By the service of Form 49, Mahmoud 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.”
He criticized what he called Mahmood’s pattern of defiance toward court rulings and asserted that the party’s actions are part of a broader mission to uphold the rule of law and hold public office holders accountable.
Speaking at a media parley on Wednesday, Prof. Yakubu responded to questions about the development, stating he is “used to being served Form 48 and Form 49.” He added, through INEC’s legal adviser, that the matter is being addressed and steps are underway toward resolution.
