The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has dismissed media reports suggesting that it disobeyed a judgement of the Federal High Court sitting in Oshogbo, Osun State, which allegedly ordered the arrest of Mahmood Yakubu, the Commission’s immediate past Chairman.

In a statement signed by Sam Olumekun, national commissioner and chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, INEC on Friday, described the reports as “misleading and mischievous,” saying they omitted critical facts and wrongly portrayed a corporate legal issue as a personal one.

Olumekun explained that the Commission had, on 6th October 2025—within the court’s deadline—filed the necessary documents to demonstrate compliance with the judgment recognising the Action Alliance (AA) executives elected on 7th October 2023 in Abeokuta, Ogun State.

He noted that INEC even presented evidence from its website showing that the names had been uploaded.

However, he said the judgment creditors later filed a counter-affidavit, claiming partial compliance because the Commission did not list Rufai Omoaje as the party’s National Chairman.

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INEC, he added, responded by tendering a Notice of Appeal filed by Omoaje himself at the Supreme Court, challenging the Court of Appeal’s decision that removed him from office.

“The judgement of the Court of Appeal is superior to that of the Federal High Court,” Olumekun stated, “hence the Commission cannot list Omoaje’s name as National Chairman while that judgement remains in force.”

INEC urged media organisations to verify their reports before publication to avoid misleading the public.