Amupitan Asks Court to Stop INEC Subpoena Seeking Tinubu’s 1999, 2023 Election Records in Sowore’s Trial
The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, has asked the Federal High Court in Abuja to set aside a subpoena seeking election documents relating to President Tinubu’s 1999 Lagos State governorship election and 2023 presidential election.
Amupitan, through a motion on notice filed before the court, is seeking an order setting aside the subpoena dated October 26, 2026, which was served on INEC headquarters in Abuja on November 6, 2026.
The subpoena, issued in the criminal case between the Federal Republic of Nigeria and activist and presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC) Omoyele Sowore, seeks the production of two documents — INEC Form CF01, including an affidavit relating to lost certificates, submitted by Tinubu as a candidate in the 1999 Lagos State governorship election, and his INEC Form CF01 for the 2023 presidential election.
In the application, Amupitan argued that the subpoena was invalid, contradictory and should not have been issued in its present form.
He also told the court that he was not personally served with the subpoena, despite its service on INEC‘s headquarters through the Litigation and Prosecution Department.
The INEC Chairman further argued that there was no form known as INEC CF01 for the 1999 Lagos State governorship election or INEC Form CF01 for the 2023 presidential election as described in the subpoena, adding that the documents were not in his custody.
He described the application as being brought in bad faith and alleged that it was intended to embarrass the establishment.
Amupitan also stated that he was not the maker of the documents sought and could not give evidence concerning them.
The motion, dated November 10, 2026, was filed by his lawyers led by Dr. Alex A. Izinyon, SAN, alongside Friday Izinyon, Okey-Ndeche, and Sylvia O. Izinyon.
He is asking the court to set aside the subpoena and grant any further orders it considers appropriate.
