Abuja, Nigeria — The Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed a contempt charge against Professor Joash Amupitan, Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), ruling that the applicant failed to properly prosecute the case.
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik struck out the suit on Tuesday after Edozie Njoku, who claims to be the National Chairman of the National Rescue Movement (NRM), repeatedly failed to serve the committal proceedings on Amupitan in person. The court emphasized that it is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure court processes are served, not the court’s.
Njoku had filed Form 48 against Amupitan, alleging that the INEC boss refused to monitor the party’s convention. However, Justice Abdulmalik noted that contempt proceedings are semi-criminal in nature and require strict adherence to service rules. Since Njoku failed to comply, the court had no choice but to dismiss the charge.
The judge also referenced an earlier order by Justice Obiora Egwuatu directing INEC to monitor the party’s convention, which could not be executed as a similar convention had already been conducted under a different leadership.
Reacting to the ruling, Dr. Chinedu Obi, the party’s recognized National Chairman, welcomed the decision, describing Njoku as a “forum shopper” attempting to hijack the party. Obi, flanked by the National Secretary, Alhaji Hassan Aminu Ibrahim, and National Legal Adviser, Barrister Musa Isiaka, urged party members to remain committed and noted that the ruling clears the way for the NRM’s participation in the 2027 general elections. He also pointed out that Njoku’s name does not appear on INEC’s official records, which list the party’s 14-member National Executive Committee under his leadership.
The dismissal reinforces the judiciary’s stance on procedural compliance in contempt cases and underscores ongoing internal disputes within Nigeria’s political parties.
