Court Dismisses Contempt Charge Against INEC Chairman

On Tuesday, the Federal High Court in Abuja, presided over by Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, dismissed a contempt charge against Professor Joash Amupitan, the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The charge was initiated by Chief Edozi Njoku of the National Rescue Movement (NRM), who sought to have Amupitan imprisoned for allegedly failing to comply with a court order.

Justice Abdulmalik ruled that the application lacked necessary legal diligence and highlighted significant procedural flaws, noting that the legal team failed to properly serve the contempt proceedings. The judge clarified that Amupitan was not responsible for assisting in the service of court processes.

Following the ruling, Dr. Chinedu Obi, the NRM's national chairman, expressed satisfaction with the court's decision, urging party members to remain committed to their goals for the 2027 general elections. The court's ruling also referenced an earlier order by Justice Obiora Egwuatu, which directed INEC to monitor party conventions, a directive that had not been executed.