- The court wants Mahmood Yakubu to appear before it and explain why he should not be jailed
- Yakubu is facing a contempt charge filed by the chairman of PDP in Anambra state
Justice Stephen Dalyop Pam of the Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Mahmood Yakubu, to appear before it to explain why he should not be committed to prison for allegedly violating valid court orders.
The judge dismissed a preliminary objection by Yakubu to appear in court to explain why he should not be committed to two years imprisonment.
Daily Trust reports that the contempt charge was filed against Yakubu by the chairman of the PDP in Anambra state, Ejike Oguebego.
The Supreme Court had directed INEC to recognise Oguebego as the authentic chairman of the PDP in Anambra state.
The apex court also directed the electoral body to accept the list of candidates for elective office from Oguebego group but INEC but INEC allegedly refused.
Recall that NAIJ.com earlier reported that on Tuesday, July 10, failed to honour a court order directing him to appear in court or risk going to jail.
Justice Pam of the Taraba division of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on the directives of the chief judge of the court gave the order on Thursday, July 5.
At the resumed hearing, counsel to Yakubu, Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN) told the court that it was the right of a respondent to decide if he wanted to be heard during vacation.