Federal High Court orders INEC chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, to appear on March 10 over contempt charge filed by National Rescue Mission

The Federal High Court, Abuja has directed the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Joash Amupitan, to appear in court on March 10 to answer a contempt charge filed by the National Rescue Mission.

Also read: INEC Promotes 2,339 Staff in 2025 Senior Staff Exercise

Justice Obiora Egwuatu fixed the date on Wednesday after INEC’s counsel, M.S. Bawa, requested an adjournment, citing an emergency that prevented the chairman from attending. Bawa also disclosed that a counter-affidavit had been filed challenging the competence of the contempt charge.

Counsel for the NRM, Oladimeji Ekengba, argued that the chairman was required to be physically present, emphasising that contempt proceedings necessitate the alleged contemnor’s appearance in court.

Before adjourning, Justice Egwuatu ordered that a fresh hearing notice be served on the INEC chairman.

The court previously allowed substituted service of the contempt processes, directing Form 48 — a notice warning of the consequences of disobeying a court order — to be delivered to any staff member at INEC’s national headquarters.

The contempt application arose from allegations 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 a January 17, 2025 emergency convention, which produced the Chief Edozie Njoku-led executive committee of the NRM.

In supporting affidavits, the NRM stated that INEC was aware of both the convention and the court’s ruling, yet allegedly failed to act in accordance with the judgment.

The party described the court’s intervention as necessary “to prevent reducing this Honourable Court to a toothless bulldog.”

National officers of the NRM, led by Chief Edozie Njoku, attended Wednesday’s proceedings. Speaking after the adjournment, Njoku expressed confidence that the INEC chairman would comply with the court-affirmed leadership of the party.

Also read: INEC Confirms Kwali Poll Votes Corrected After Human Error

The matter has been adjourned to March 10 for the chairman’s appearance and further proceedings in the contempt charge.