Court threatens imprisonment over non-compliance with January ruling as PDP leadership crisis deepens

The High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, has issued a Form 48 notice of consequences of disobedience of court order against the National Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Samuel Anyanwu, and the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Amupitan.

In the notice dated April 20, 2026, the court warned that both officials could face imprisonment for contempt if they fail to comply with its January 12, 2026 judgment, which dismissed Anyanwu’s challenge to his expulsion from the PDP.

The warning, issued in Suit No. CV/1050/2025, stated that continued disregard of the court’s ruling would amount to contempt, punishable by committal to prison.

The Form 48 notice read in part: “Take notice that unless you stop further disobedience and comply forthwith/obey the judgment/order of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, made on the 12th of January 2026… you will be guilty of contempt and you will be liable to be committed to prison.”

The notice was directed at Senator Anyanwu and Prof. Amupitan, with service reportedly effected at their Abuja addresses in line with enforcement procedures.

In the case, Anyanwu is the respondent, while PDP stakeholders, including members of the National Executive Committee led by Ambassador Umar Damagum, are listed as judgment creditors/applicants. The INEC Chairman is also joined in the matter.

The development comes amid deepening divisions within the PDP, which has been split into rival factions. One group is led by Tanimu Turaki (SAN) and backed by Governors Seyi Makinde and Bala Mohammed, while another is aligned with FCT Minister Nyesom Wike under Abdulrahman Mohammed.

The crisis has triggered multiple court battles, many of which remain unresolved.

Anyanwu had earlier been recommended for expulsion by the PDP National Disciplinary Committee on March 10, 2025, over alleged anti-party activities, a decision later ratified by party leadership.

He was subsequently expelled at the disputed Ibadan convention on November 15, 2025, though the decision was later challenged and partially unsettled by court proceedings.

Following his expulsion, Anyanwu approached the FCT High Court in Suit No. CV/1050/2025, but Justice Yusuf Halilu dismissed his case on January 12, 2026. He has since filed an appeal at the Court of Appeal in Abuja on April 10, 2026.

Despite the legal dispute, Anyanwu participated in the Wike-backed PDP convention held on March 29–30, 2026, in Abuja, which produced Abdulrahman Mohammed as national chairman and reaffirmed him as national secretary—an outcome later recognised by INEC.

Meanwhile, the Turaki-led faction has intensified pressure on INEC, demanding in a letter dated April 16, 2026, that the commission withdraw recognition of Anyanwu as PDP national secretary.

Signed by counsel Abdullahi Ibrahim (SAN), the letter argued that the January 12 judgment remains valid and enforceable, insisting Anyanwu ceased to be a PDP member following his expulsion.

It further warned that failure by INEC to comply could expose the commission’s leadership to contempt proceedings and possible legal action.

The latest court warning adds fresh tension to the PDP leadership crisis, which continues to fuel legal uncertainty and political division within the opposition party.