The Federal High Court in Abuja has issued a subpoena directing the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan, to appear in court and produce electoral documents relating to President Bola Tinubu’s governorship candidacy in 1999 and his presidential candidacy in 2023.
The subpoena was issued in connection with the ongoing criminal trial of human rights activist and African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, over his description of President Tinubu as a criminal.
Sowore disclosed the development in a Facebook post, sharing copies of the subpoena and a hearing notice served on the INEC chairman.
The court document, titled “Subpoena Duces Tecum,” directs Amupitan to produce two sets of documents: INEC Form CF01 submitted by Tinubu as a candidate in the 1999 Lagos State governorship election, including the affidavit concerning lost certificates, and his Form CF01 submitted for the 2023 presidential election.
The subpoena, issued in Charge No. FHC/CR/484/2025, commands the INEC chairman to appear before the Federal High Court, Abuja Judicial Division, in Courtroom 5, on October 26, 2026, at 9am, and remain in attendance until the matter is determined.
It also directs him to produce the specified documents and testify on behalf of Sowore, who is the defendant in the case.
The subpoena was dated October 26, 2026, while a separate court filing seeking its issuance was dated October 23, 2026. The documents identify the presiding judge as Justice Mohammed Garba Umar.
The case was instituted by the Federal Republic of Nigeria against Sowore over his comments about Tinubu, with the activist facing criminal proceedings arising from the remarks.
By seeking the documents, Sowore is asking the court to compel the electoral commission’s chairman to produce records relating to Tinubu’s submissions to INEC for the two elections.
The documents sought include the 1999 governorship Form CF01 and the affidavit concerning lost certificates, as well as the 2023 presidential election Form CF01.