Faction of the Peoples Democratic Party led by Tanimu Turaki has filed a contempt action against the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof Joash Amupitan.
The process, filed on April 20 before an FCT High Court, cited Amupitan’s non-compliance with an order of the court made on January 17, which dismissed the suit of Senator Samuel Anyanwu challenging his expulsion from the PDP.
The process, which joined Ambassador Umar Iliya Damagum, also has Chief Tom Ikimi, Abdullahi Idris Umar, Talford Ongolo, Emma Ibeshi, Zainab Maina, Chile Igbawua and Eyitayo Jegede as judgement creditors against Amupitan.
The National Secretary of the party, Samuel Anyanwu, had challenged his suspension by a panel and asked the court to validate his position.
But the court dismissed the action on account of the expiration of Anyanwu’s tenure, as his lawyer noted that his tenure expired in December of the previous year.
But the Damagum group maintained that INEC must comply with the January verdict, which they see to be against FCT Minister Nyesom Wike.
However, counsel to Anyanwu, Ken Njemanze (SAN), said the committee’s recommendation to suspend Anyanwu was not a NEC decision, adding that the court did not dismiss his suit but only declined jurisdiction.
He said the court’s verdict, which was delivered in January and only came to light in March, did not affirm Anyanwu’s suspension or expulsion.
He said, “The judge merely held that he had no jurisdiction in the matter, so how has the chairman of INEC disobeyed an order?”
