Court Summons INEC Chairman Over Contempt Allegation

The Federal High Court in Abuja has directed the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, to appear before it on March 10 in response to a contempt charge filed by the National Rescue Mission (NRM).

Justice Obiora Egwuatu fixed the date after counsel to INEC, M. S. Bawa, requested time to ensure the chairman’s presence in court. Bawa informed the court that Amupitan, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, was unable to attend due to an emergency. He also disclosed that a counter-affidavit had been filed challenging the validity of the contempt proceedings and seeking to have them dismissed.

When the case was called, NRM’s counsel, Oladimeji Ekengba, questioned the absence of the INEC chairman, arguing that contempt proceedings require the defendant to be physically present in court.

Before adjourning the matter, Justice Egwuatu ordered that a fresh hearing notice be served on the INEC chairman. The court had earlier granted permission for substituted service of the contempt charge, directing that Form 48 — a notice outlining the consequences of disobeying a court order — be delivered to any staff member at INEC’s national headquarters.

The contempt application stems from an earlier judgment delivered on March 5, 2025, in which the court ordered INEC to recognise the outcome of an emergency convention conducted by the NRM on January 17, 2025. The convention produced a leadership team headed by Chief Edozie Njoku.

According to court filings by the NRM, INEC and its chairman were aware of the judgment but failed to comply. The party stated that although its counsel was present when the ruling was delivered, it still served the commission with the enrolled order of the court.

The NRM argued that the issuance of Form 48 was necessary to compel compliance and uphold the authority of the court.

Several national officers of the party, led by Chief Njoku, were present during Wednesday’s proceedings. Speaking to reporters after the adjournment, Njoku expressed confidence that INEC would eventually implement the court’s directive and recognise the party’s leadership.