1 month ago
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The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, has been ordered to appear before the Federal High Court on March 10, 2026, to answer to allegations of contempt of court.
Naija News reports that the summons followed the commission’s alleged failure to comply with an earlier court order directing INEC to recognise the National Rescue Mission (NRM) executive led by Chief Edozie Njoku as the party’s legitimate leadership.
The directive was issued by Justice Obiora Egwuatu during proceedings on Wednesday after the INEC Chairman failed to appear before the court.
Counsel to INEC, M.S. Bawa, requested an adjournment, citing an emergency. However, the judge proceeded with issuing the summons.
NRM’s lead counsel, Oladimeji Ekengba, argued that contempt proceedings are quasi-criminal in nature and therefore require the defendant to be physically present in the dock.
Following the argument, Justice Egwuatu directed that a fresh hearing notice be served on the INEC Chairman, ordering him to appear at the next hearing.
The judge asked the INEC boss to “show cause” why he should not be committed to prison for allegedly disobeying the court’s directive.
The legal dispute stems from a mandamus order issued on March 5, 2025, which compelled INEC to recognise the outcome of the NRM’s convention held in January 2025.
The order specifically directed the electoral body to accept the convention that produced the Edozie Njoku-led leadership of the party.
Due to earlier challenges in personally serving the INEC Chairman with court documents, the court had previously approved substituted service of Form 48, the official notice warning of the consequences of disobeying a court order.
Under the arrangement, the notice could be delivered to any staff member at the INEC national headquarters in Abuja.
Officials of the NRM expressed confidence that the electoral commission would eventually comply with the court order and formally recognise their leadership.
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