This case involves Mrs. Fatima Yakubu, a senior figure in the Human Resources Department of NNPC Limited, who is facing contempt charges for allegedly violating a court order. The controversy arose when she allegedly allowed the portal of NNPC to be used by 14 individuals to conduct an election for the NNPC Multipurpose Cooperative Society's leadership, despite a court order restraining them from doing so.
The contempt charge was filed by four NNPC staff members who had previously obtained a court order preventing these 14 individuals from holding leadership roles within the cooperative society. The case has been marked by legal disputes over who should represent the cooperative society in court, with two lawyers—Anthony Malik, SAN, and Andrew Eche—claiming to be the rightful counsel.
The court, led by Justice Charles Agbaza, postponed the case to October 17, giving the parties time to resolve the legal representation issue before addressing the substantive matter. If found guilty, Mrs. Yakubu could face a two-year jail term for disobedience of the court's lawful order.