Court summons INEC chair over contempt charge

Amupitan

The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof Joash Amupitan (SAN), to appear before it on March 10 to answer a contempt charge brought against him by the National Rescue Mission.

Justice Obiora Egwuatu fixed the date on Wednesday after counsel to INEC, M.S. Bawa, sought an adjournment to enable him to secure the presence of the commission’s chairman in court.

Bawa told the court that Amupitan was unable to attend proceedings due to an emergency.

He further disclosed that a counter-affidavit had been filed challenging the competence of the contempt charge and urging the court to quash it.