A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has served Senator Samuel Anyanwu and the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Joash Amupitan with a contempt notice for failing to comply with a court order.
The court, in a Form 48 dated April 20, 2026, warned that both individuals risk imprisonment if they fail to comply with its judgment delivered on January 12, 2026.
The Court ruling had dismissed Anyanwu’s suit challenging his expulsion from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The court notice read in part; “Take notice that unless you stop further disobedience… you will be guilty of contempt and liable to be committed to prison”.
Senator Samuel Anyanwu was listed in the case, marked Suit No. CV/1050/2025, as respondent with other key stalwarts of the PDP including Iliya Umar Damagum, who represented the party’s National Executive Committee as applicants.
The dispute stemed from the PDP’s decision to expel Anyanwu over alleged anti-party activities based on a recommendation by the party’s National Disciplinary Committee in March 2025 which was ratified by its leadership.
Despite filing an appeal on April 10, 2026, a faction of the PDP led by Tanimu Turaki, SAN, insists that the judgment remains valid and enforceable.
The party cited Section 287(3) of the 1999 Constitution, arguing that a notice of appeal does not amount to a stay of execution.
The PDP insisted that Anyanwu has ceased to be a member, thus cannot act in any official capacity.
The development is the latest twist in the ongoing leadership crisis within the PDP, which has split into two factions with one of the factions being led by Tanimu Turaki, SAN, which is being supported by the governors on the platform of the party while the second faction is being led by Nyesom Wike, the minister of the FCT.
In a letter dated April 16, 2026, the Turaki-led faction demanded that INEC should in compliance with court ruling, withdraw recognition of Anyanwu as PDP National Secretary.
It warned that failure to comply could lead to contempt proceedings against the INEC chairman and further legal action.
