INEC Chairman Ordered to Court Over Contempt Charges

The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to appear in court on March 10 due to contempt charges filed by the National Rescue Mission (NRM). Justice Obiora Egwuatu presided over the case, where INEC's counsel, Mr.

M.S. Bawa, requested an adjournment, citing the chairman, Prof.

Joash Amupitan, SAN, was unable to attend due to an emergency. The NRM's counsel, Mr.

Oladimeji Ekengba, opposed the adjournment, questioning the absence of the INEC chairman and emphasizing the need for his presence in court. The judge subsequently ordered that a fresh hearing notice be served personally to the INEC chairman, having previously approved a substituted service.

The contempt charges arose from a judgment delivered on March 5, 2025, which directed INEC to recognize the outcome of an emergent convention held by the NRM on January 17, 2025. The NRM accused INEC of deliberately ignoring the court's decision despite being fully aware of the judgment.