The Federal High Court in Abuja has summoned the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, to appear before it on March 10 to answer to a contempt charge initiated by the National Rescue Mission (NRM).
Justice Obiora Egwuatu fixed the date after counsel to INEC, Mr. M. S. Bawa, requested an adjournment to enable him to secure the personal appearance of the electoral body’s chairman. Bawa informed the court that Prof. Amupitan was unable to attend proceedings due to an emergency. He also disclosed that a counter-affidavit had been filed challenging the competence of the contempt charge and seeking to have it quashed.
Counsel to the NRM, Mr. Oladimeji Ekengba, drew the court’s attention to the absence of the INEC chairman, insisting that contempt proceedings require the defendant’s presence in the dock. He questioned why the electoral chief was not in court despite the nature of the charge.
Before adjourning the matter, Justice Egwuatu ordered that a fresh hearing notice be served on the INEC chairman. The court had earlier granted an order 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 proceedings stem from an ex-parte motion filed by the NRM, which alleged that INEC and its chairman failed to comply with a mandamus order issued on March 5, 2025. The order directed the commission to recognise the outcome of the party’s emergency convention held on January 17, 2025, which produced a leadership led by Chief Edozie Njoku.
According to the NRM, despite being aware of the judgment and duly served with the enrolled order, INEC has yet to comply. Party officials, led by Chief Njoku, were present in court and expressed optimism that the commission would ultimately adhere to the court’s directive and formally recognise the party’s leadership.
