The Federal High Court in Abuja has struck out a contempt charge seeking to commit the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, to prison over alleged disobedience of a court order.

Justice Joyce Abdulmalik dismissed the application on Tuesday after the applicant, Edozie Njoku, failed to diligently prosecute the case and properly serve the required court documents on the INEC chairman.

Njoku, who claims to be the National Chairman of the National Rescue Movement (NRM), had filed a Form 48 seeking the committal of the INEC chairman to Kuje Correctional Centre over the commission’s alleged refusal to monitor the party’s convention.

In her ruling, Justice Abdulmalik held that it was the responsibility of the applicant—not the court—to ensure proper service of court processes on the respondent, especially in contempt proceedings, which are considered quasi-criminal in nature.

She noted that failure to personally serve the committal notice on the alleged contemnor left the court with no option but to strike out the application.

The suit was linked to an earlier order reportedly issued by Justice Obiora Egwuatu directing INEC to monitor the party’s convention, although the exercise was not carried out as another faction of the party had already conducted a similar convention.

Reacting to the ruling, NRM National Chairman, Chinedu Obi, welcomed the court’s decision, describing it as a step toward resolving the party’s internal dispute.

Obi, who addressed journalists alongside party officials, maintained that Njoku was not a member of the party’s recognised leadership and accused him of attempting to hijack its structure through litigation.

He added that the court’s decision had cleared the way for the party to focus on preparations ahead of the 2027 general elections.