A Excessive Court docket of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, has issued a Type 48 Discover of Penalties of Disobedience to Court docket Order towards Senator Samuel N. Anyanwu and the Chairman of the Unbiased Nationwide Electoral Fee (INEC), Prof. Joash Ojo Amupitan, over alleged failure to adjust to a subsisting courtroom judgment.
The discover, a preliminary step in direction of contempt proceedings, warns that each males danger imprisonment in the event that they proceed to ignore the judgment delivered on January 12, 2026, in Swimsuit No. CV/1050/2025.
Within the go well with, Anyanwu is listed because the Judgment Debtor/Respondent, whereas Amb. Iliya Umar Damagum, representing himself and the Nationwide Govt Committee of the Peoples Democratic Celebration (PDP), alongside the social gathering and several other chieftains, are named as Judgment Collectors/Candidates.
The courtroom had dismissed Anyanwu’s go well with difficult his expulsion from the PDP, successfully upholding the social gathering’s determination.
Nonetheless, the candidates alleged that the judgment has not been complied with.
The Type 48 discover cautioned that until the events “stop additional disobedience and comply forthwith” with the courtroom’s order, they could be held in contempt and dedicated to jail.
The event comes amid mounting authorized strain on INEC to withdraw its recognition of Anyanwu because the PDP’s Nationwide Secretary.
In a letter dated April 16, 2026, counsel to the PDP and its members, Abdullahi Ibrahim, SAN, argued that the fee is constitutionally certain to implement the courtroom’s judgment affirming Anyanwu’s expulsion.
The attorneys defined that the PDP’s Nationwide Disciplinary Committee had, on March 10, 2025, really helpful Anyanwu’s expulsion for alleged anti-party actions, a choice subsequently ratified by the social gathering.
They famous that Anyanwu challenged the choice in courtroom, however his go well with was dismissed in its entirety on January 12, 2026.
Though a Discover of Enchantment has been filed, the attorneys confused that it doesn’t function as a keep of execution, that means the judgment stays legitimate and binding.
They argued that, by implication, Anyanwu has ceased to be a member and officer of the PDP and lacks the authorized capability to behave on behalf of the social gathering.
Citing Part 287(3) of the 1999 Structure, the authorized crew maintained that INEC is obligated to adjust to and implement courtroom choices, warning that continued recognition of Anyanwu undermines judicial authority.
They additional accused the fee of breaching its constitutional obligation by sustaining his recognition regardless of the subsisting judgment.
The PDP’s attorneys demanded that INEC expunge all recognitions accorded to Anyanwu since January 12, 2026, together with official correspondences and paperwork, and instantly delist his identify from its information.
Additionally they warned that failure to conform would end in contempt proceedings towards the INEC Chairman and extra authorized motion towards the Fee.
In the meantime, the issuance of the Type 48 discover alerts a doable escalation within the dispute, with contempt proceedings probably if compliance isn’t secured.
The discover was issued by Jephtha Musa, Esq., of Maxim Legislation Agency, Abuja, and served on Anyanwu at his Wuye District residence, in addition to on the INEC Chairman at its Maitama headquarters.
As of the time of submitting this report, it stays unclear whether or not the affected events have taken steps to adjust to the judgment.
Wale Igbintade
Times Nigeria