INEC Chairman Summoned for Alleged Contempt of Court

The Federal High Court has summoned Prof. Joash Amupitan, the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), to appear on March 10, 2026, to answer allegations of contempt of court. This summons follows claims that INEC failed to comply with an earlier court order issued on March 5, 2025, which directed the commission to recognize the leadership of the National Rescue Mission (NRM) led by Chief Edozi Njoku.

During proceedings on Wednesday, INEC's counsel, M.S. Bawa, requested an adjournment citing an emergency, but Justice Obiora Egwuatu proceeded to issue the summons.

NRM's lead counsel, Oladimeji Ekengba, argued that the contempt proceedings are quasi-criminal in nature, necessitating the physical presence of the defendant in court. The judge ordered that a fresh hearing notice be served to the INEC Chairman, who must show cause why he should not be committed to prison for allegedly disobeying the court's directive.

The legal dispute centers on a mandamus order compelling INEC to recognize the outcomes of the NRM's convention held in January 2025.