By By Elizabeth Ugbo
The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan (SAN), to appear in person on March 10, 2026, over a contempt charge filed by the National Rescue Mission (NRM). Justice Obiora Egwuatu gave the order on Wednesday in Abuja after the NRM accused the INEC chairman of disobeying a court judgment that recognised the party’s leadership.
Background to the INEC Chairman Contempt Charge
The contempt charge arose from an ex parte motion filed by the NRM. The party alleged that INEC and its chairman ignored a mandamus order delivered on March 5, 2025.
In that judgment, the court directed INEC to recognise the outcome of the NRM’s emergency convention held on January 17, 2025. The convention produced a Chief Edozie Njoku-led executive committee.
However, the NRM claimed that INEC failed to comply with the order despite full awareness of both the convention and the court ruling.
Form 48 Issued Against INEC Chairman
In an affidavit supporting the motion, the NRM stated that INEC’s counsel was present when the judgment was delivered. The party also confirmed that the enrolled order was properly served on the commission.
“To prevent reducing this Honourable Court to a toothless bulldog and to uphold justice, the Registrar issued Form 48 to be served on the Respondent’s Chairman,” the affidavit stated.
Form 48 serves as a statutory notice in contempt proceedings. It warns the alleged contemnor to show cause why the court should not commit him to prison for disobeying a valid order.
Earlier, the court granted substituted service. It allowed officials to serve Form 48 through any staff member at INEC’s national headquarters.
INEC Challenges Contempt Proceedings
Meanwhile, INEC’s legal team challenged the validity of the contempt proceedings. Counsel to the commission, M.S. Bawa, told the court that an emergency prevented the chairman from attending the hearing.
Bawa also informed the court that INEC had filed a counter-affidavit. The commission urged the court to strike out the application, describing it as incompetent.
However, counsel to the NRM, Oladimeji Ekengba, insisted that contempt proceedings require personal appearance.
“My Lord, this is a contempt charge that requires the defendant to be present in the dock,” Ekengba argued.
Court Adjourns to March 10
Justice Egwuatu declined to hear substantive arguments. Instead, he adjourned the matter to March 10, 2026.
Before adjourning, the judge ordered that a fresh hearing notice be served on the INEC chairman.
NRM officials, led by Chief Edozie Njoku, attended the proceedings. Speaking after the adjournment, Njoku expressed confidence that INEC would eventually comply with the court’s directive.
With the matter adjourned, attention now shifts to whether the INEC chairman will appear in person. The court will also determine the validity of the contempt proceedings and the alleged disobedience of its mandamus order.
