By Milcah Tanimu
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has refuted allegations of contempt of court, emphasizing that it consistently abides by court orders as a responsible organization committed to the rule of law. Mr. Rotimi Oyekanmi, the Chief Press Secretary to INEC Chairman, made this clarification in response to Chief Chekwas Okorie’s claim that INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, was guilty of contempt of court for not recognizing him as APGA National Chairman.
Oyekanmi dismissed Okorie’s allegation as pure mischief, stating that the matter pertained to the leadership of APGA, in which Okorie was not involved. He explained that Okorie presented a twisted narrative to justify his unwarranted attack on the INEC Chairman.
Okorie had asserted that Justice M. A. Madugu of the Federal Capital Territory High Court found both Chief Victor Oye and Yakubu guilty of contempt of court in the APGA leadership dispute. Oyekanmi clarified that the matter was sub judice as it was before a superior court (Court of Appeal), and hence, nobody could be considered in contempt of an order of a lower court.
Furthermore, Oyekanmi urged caution in making malicious allegations, emphasizing that Okorie should have checked the records of proceedings at the Court of Appeal before making spurious claims.
