By Our Reporter
ABUJA — The Federal High Court in Abuja has subpoenaed the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Ojo Amupitan, to produce President Bola Tinubu’s electoral documents relating to the 1999 Lagos State governorship election and the 2023 presidential election.
The subpoena was issued in the ongoing criminal trial of human rights activist and African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, over his description of Tinubu as a criminal in social media posts. The case, marked FHC/CR/484/2025, is before Justice Mohammed Garba Umar.
The documents sought include Tinubu’s INEC Form CF001 for both elections, as well as an affidavit concerning lost certificates submitted in connection with his 1999 governorship candidacy.
The development followed the court’s approval on Monday, November 9, of the defence’s application to subpoena Amupitan and former Lagos APC publicity secretary, Joe Igbokwe, as witnesses. The court adjourned the trial until Wednesday, November 11, for their appearance.
However, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that Amupitan said INEC had not received the court order and that he would take the necessary steps after being formally served.
The subpoena is separate from the suit filed by former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar and the African Democratic Congress (ADC) challenging Tinubu’s eligibility to contest the January 16, 2027 presidential election. The case, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1888/2026, is before Justice Inyang Ekwo. The plaintiffs allege that the NYSC discharge certificate Tinubu submitted to INEC bears the name “Tinubu Bola Adekunle” rather than “Bola Ahmed Tinubu”. They rely on Section 137(1)(j) of the Constitution, which disqualifies a presidential candidate who presents a forged certificate to INEC.
Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress (APC) have denied the allegation and urged the court to dismiss the suit. INEC has also opposed the plaintiffs’ application to amend their originating processes. Justice Ekwo is expected to rule on the amendment application on November 20.
Neither the subpoena in Sowore’s trial nor the pending suit has established that Tinubu forged any document or submitted a false certificate.