NRM: Court strikes out suit seeking to commit INEC Chairman, Prof Amupitan to jail

Federal High Court Dismisses Contempt Charge Against INEC Chairman

ABUJA — The Federal High Court has dismissed a contempt charge against Professor Joash Amupitan, Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), accused of failing to comply with a court order.

On Tuesday, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik ruled in favor of Amupitan after the applicant, Edozie Njoku, and his legal team did not adequately pursue the case. Njoku, who claims to be the National Chairman of the National Rescue Movement (NRM), sought to have Amupitan imprisoned for allegedly not overseeing the party’s convention.

The court noted that Njoku failed to personally serve the committal papers to Amupitan, prompting Justice Abdulmalik to reject the request. She emphasized that it is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure the proper delivery of court documents to the defendant.

Justice Abdulmalik highlighted the nature of contempt charges as semi-criminal, requiring personal service of documents. The judge stated that failure to meet this requirement renders the charge subject to dismissal.

In a related matter, Justice Obiora Egwuatu had previously issued an order for INEC to monitor the NRM’s convention. However, that order could not be executed, as the party had already conducted a similar convention.

Following the ruling, Dr. Chinedu Obi, National Chairman of the NRM, expressed his approval of the court’s decision. Obi, accompanied by National Secretary Alhaji Hassan Aminu Ibrahim and National Legal Adviser Barrister Musa Isiaka, asserted that Njoku has no legitimate affiliation with the party and accused him of attempting to usurp control.

Obi pointed out that Njoku’s name is absent from the INEC website, which lists the 14-member National Executive Committee under their leadership, along with the state chairmen.

He urged party members nationwide to remain committed to their cause and stated that with the dismissal of Njoku’s contempt charge, the path is clear for active participation in the upcoming 2027 general elections.

Read Full Article