The Pathfinder
Thursday April 23, 2026
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The High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, has taken a significant step in enforcing its judgment against Senator Samuel N. Anyanwu and the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Ojo Amupitan, by issuing a Form 48 Notice of Consequences of Disobedience to Court Order.
This notice serves as a formal warning that continued refusal to obey the subsisting judgment delivered on January 12, 2026, in Suit No. CV/1050/2025, could lead to contempt proceedings and possible imprisonment.
Senator Samuel Anyanwu was listed in the suit as the Judgment Debtor/Respondent, while Amb. Iliya Umar Damagum, acting for himself and representing the National Executive Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), alongside the PDP and other party stakeholders, were listed as Judgment Creditors/Applicants.
The court had earlier dismissed Anyanwu’s suit challenging his expulsion from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), thereby affirming the legality of the party’s decision to remove him.
Despite the judgment, the applicants alleged that Anyanwu and the INEC Chairman have failed to comply with the court’s directive, especially regarding the continued recognition of Anyanwu as the PDP National Secretary.
The Form 48 specifically states that unless both parties stop further disobedience and comply immediately with the judgment of the court, they shall be guilty of contempt and may be committed to prison.
This legal development increases pressure on INEC to withdraw all forms of official recognition granted to Anyanwu after the judgment date.
In a letter dated April 16, 2026, counsel to the PDP and its members, Abdullahi Ibrahim, SAN, argued that INEC is constitutionally obligated under Section 287(3) of the 1999 Constitution to obey and enforce valid court judgments.
The legal team explained that the PDP National Disciplinary Committee had recommended Anyanwu’s expulsion on March 10, 2025, over alleged anti-party activities, and that decision was later ratified by the party leadership.
Although Anyanwu filed a Notice of Appeal against the judgment, the lawyers emphasized that an appeal does not amount to a stay of execution, meaning the judgment remains fully valid and enforceable.
They maintained that by virtue of the judgment, Anyanwu has ceased to be a member of the PDP and therefore lacks the legal authority to function as National Secretary or represent the party in any official capacity.
The lawyers further accused INEC of undermining judicial authority by continuing to recognize him despite the clear judgment of the court.
They demanded that the commission immediately remove Anyanwu’s name from all official records, withdraw all recognitions and correspondences issued to him since January 12, 2026, and fully comply with the court order.
Court Issues Form 48 Against Samuel Anyanwu, Warns INEC Over Disobedience
Failure to do so, they warned, would result in full contempt proceedings against the INEC Chairman and further legal consequences for the Commission.
The Form 48 notice was issued by Jephthah Musa, Esq., of Maxim Law Firm, Abuja, and was served on Senator Anyanwu at his Wuye District residence and on the INEC Chairman at the Commission’s Maitama headquarters.
This latest development signals a possible escalation in the PDP leadership crisis, with the matter now moving beyond internal party disputes into serious judicial enforcement proceedings.
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