The Federal High Court in Abuja has subpoenaed the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan, SAN, to produce President Bola Tinubu’s electoral documents from the 1999 Lagos governorship election and the 2023 presidential election.
The order, issued in the ongoing criminal trial of human rights activist and African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, requires Amupitan to appear before the court on Wednesday, November 11, 2026, and testify on behalf of the defendant.
The subpoena, dated October 26, 2026, was issued by Justice Mohammed Garba Umar of the Federal High Court, Abuja Judicial Division, in Charge No. FHC/CR/484/2025, between the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Sowore.
Titled “Subpoena Duces Tecum,” the court order directs the INEC chairman to produce two sets of electoral documents submitted by Tinubu during his political contests.
The first is INEC Form CF001, including the “Affidavit in Respect of Lost Certificates,” submitted by Tinubu as a candidate in the 1999 Lagos State governorship election.
The second is INEC Form CF001 submitted by Tinubu as a candidate in the 2023 presidential election.
The documents are being sought by Sowore’s defence team as part of its evidence in the criminal proceedings arising from the activist’s public statements describing the President as a criminal.
The court directed Amupitan to appear at Courtroom No. 5, Fourth Floor, Federal High Court, Maitama, Abuja, at 9am on Wednesday, November 11, to produce the specified documents and testify.
The subpoena states: “You are hereby commanded in the name of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to attend before the Federal High Court, Abuja Judicial Division.”
The legal process was initiated on behalf of Sowore by his defence lawyers, led by Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika, SAN, alongside Ugochika Akunna Njoku, Esq.
The subpoena seeks to bring Tinubu’s historical electoral declarations and official documentation before the court, spanning his 1999 governorship bid and 2023 presidential contest.
The inclusion of the 1999 affidavit concerning lost certificates is particularly significant, given longstanding public controversies surrounding the President’s educational credentials and declarations.
The development introduces official electoral records into the evidentiary proceedings in Sowore’s trial, although the subpoena itself does not establish any wrongdoing by Tinubu.
The criminal case against Sowore followed his public criticism of the President and has drawn attention to issues surrounding freedom of expression, political dissent and the prosecution of government critics.
In a related development, a hearing notice was served on Amupitan on Monday, November 9, 2026, directing him to appear before the court on Wednesday to testify.
