The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan, to appear before it and produce electoral documents relating to President Bola Tinubu’s 1999 governorship election in Lagos State and his 2023 presidential election.

The order 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.

The subpoena was issued by Justice Mohammed Garba Umar of the Federal High Court, Abuja, in Charge No. FHC/CR/484/2025, involving the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Sowore.

According to the court document, the subpoena, titled Subpoena Duces Tecum, directs the INEC chairman to produce two sets of electoral documents submitted by Tinubu to the commission.

The first is INEC Form CF001, including an affidavit relating to lost certificates, submitted by Tinubu during his 1999 Lagos State governorship election.

The second document is Form CF001 submitted by Tinubu as a presidential candidate in the 2023 general election.

The documents were requested by Sowore’s defence team as part of its evidence in the ongoing criminal proceedings.

The court directed Amupitan to appear at Courtroom 5, Fourth Floor, Federal High Court, Maitama, Abuja, at 9am on Wednesday, November 11, 2026, to produce the documents and testify on behalf of the defendant.

The subpoena was dated October 26, 2026, while a hearing notice was reportedly served on the INEC chairman on Monday, November 9, directing him to attend the proceedings.

The legal request was initiated by Sowore’s defence lawyers, led by Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika, SAN, alongside Ugochika Akunna Njoku.

The defence team’s request seeks to bring Tinubu’s historical electoral declarations and official documentation before the court for examination during the trial.

The inclusion of the 1999 governorship documents, particularly the affidavit concerning lost certificates, brings renewed attention to longstanding public discussions surrounding the President’s educational records.

Meanwhile, the case arose from Sowore’s public statements about Tinubu, which led to criminal proceedings initiated by the Department of State Services (DSS).

The trial has attracted public attention, particularly regarding freedom of expression, political criticism and the prosecution of individuals over statements concerning public officeholders.

The court’s directive is expected to provide an opportunity for the requested electoral documents to be presented as part of the defence’s case.

However, the subpoena itself does not establish any wrongdoing or determine the accuracy of the information contained in the documents.