ABUJA — The Federal High Court in Abuja has issued a formal subpoena duces tecum directing the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan, to appear in court and produce key electoral records belonging to President Bola Tinubu.
The legal directive, issued under Charge No. FHC/CR/484/2025 before Justice Mohammed Garba Umar, commands the electoral commission boss to present documentation tracing back to the 1999 Lagos State governorship race and the 2023 presidential election.
Core Details of the Subpoena
According to court filings and disclosures by the defendant, Omoyele Sowore, the subpoena mandates the INEC chairman to produce specific statutory records:
- 1999 Governorship Bid: INEC Form CF01 submitted by Tinubu during the 1999 Lagos State governorship election, including associated affidavits regarding lost certificates.
- 2023 Presidential Bid: Form CF01 submitted by Tinubu for the 2023 general presidential election.
The court document requires Professor Amupitan to appear personally before the Abuja Judicial Division to present the documents and testify on behalf of the defense.
Background to the Legal Dispute
The development unfolds within the framework of an ongoing criminal trial brought against human rights activist and African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, by the Federal Government.
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- The Charge: Sowore is facing prosecution initiated via the Department of State Services (DSS) following his public description of President Tinubu as a criminal, a remark he has repeatedly refused to retract.
- Defense Strategy: Speaking outside the courtroom, Sowore emphasized that the introduction of electoral records and testimonies—which also extends to other summoned figures such as Lagos politician Joe Igbokwe—forms a critical component of his defense strategy. He noted that the proceedings would probe broader questions regarding public records and identity.
The high-profile trial continues to draw intense public interest as legal teams prepare for upcoming hearings to address the compliance of the electoral body with the court’s directives.
