The High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, has issued a notice of consequences of disobedience of court order against a factional  national secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party, Samuel Anyanwu and the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof Joash Amupitan.

The court, in Form 48 dated 20th April 2026, warned that the two risk imprisonment if they fail to comply with its January 12, 2026, judgment dismissing Anyanwu’s suit challenging his expulsion from the PDP.

In the FCT High Court, public notice in Suit No. CV/1050/2025, Anyanwu is listed as the respondent, while key PDP figures, including Damagum, representing the party’s National Executive Committee, are listed alongside others as judgment creditors/applicants.

Also listed in the matter is the INEC chairman, Amupitan.

The notice, titled Form 48, warned of the consequences of disobedience to the judgment of the court delivered on January 12, 2026.

It read, “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, which dismissed the suit of Senator Samual N. Anyanwu challenging his expulsion from the Peoples Democratic Party, you will be guilty of contempt and you will be liable to be committed to prison.”

It was specifically directed at Senator Anyanwu and Prof Amupitan, with service indicated at their respective Abuja addresses, in line with enforcement procedures following the court’s ruling.

The PDP has been mired in a prolonged crisis, splitting into two factions: one led by Tanimu Turaki (SAN) and backed by Governors Seyi Makinde (Oyo) and Bala Mohammed (Bauchi), and the other led by Abdulrahman Mohammed, with the support of FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike.

Several suits filed by both camps are still pending in court.

On March 10, 2025, the party’s National Disciplinary Committee recommended the expulsion of Anyanwu over alleged anti-party activities, a decision later ratified by the leadership.

The Form 48 notice cautioned that unless the parties “cease further disobedience and comply forthwith” with the court’s order, they may be held in contempt and committed to prison.

The development comes amid mounting legal pressure on INEC to withdraw its recognition of Anyanwu as the PDP’s National Secretary.

In a letter dated April 16, 2026, counsel to the PDP and its members, Abdullahi Ibrahim, SAN, argued that the commission is constitutionally bound to enforce the court’s judgment affirming Anyanwu’s expulsion.

The lawyers explained that the PDP’s National Disciplinary Committee had, on March 10, 2025, recommended Anyanwu’s expulsion for alleged anti-party activities, a decision subsequently ratified by the party.

They noted that Anyanwu challenged the decision in court, but his suit was dismissed in its entirety on January 12, 2026.

Although a Notice of Appeal has been filed, the lawyers stressed that it does not operate as a stay of execution, meaning the judgment remains valid and binding.

They argued that, by implication, Anyanwu has ceased to be a member and officer of the PDP and lacks the legal capacity to act on behalf of the party.

Citing Section 287(3) of the 1999 Constitution, the legal team maintained that INEC is obligated to comply with and enforce court decisions, warning that continued recognition of Anyanwu undermines judicial authority.

They further accused the commission of breaching its constitutional duty by maintaining his recognition despite the subsisting judgment.

The PDP’s lawyers demanded that INEC expunge all recognitions accorded to Anyanwu since January 12, 2026, including official correspondences and documents, and immediately delist his name from its records.

They also warned that failure to comply would result in contempt proceedings against the INEC Chairman and additional legal action against the Commission.

Meanwhile, the issuance of the Form 48 notice signals a possible escalation in the dispute, with contempt proceedings likely if compliance is not secured.

The notice was issued by Jephtha Musa, Esq., of Maxim Law Firm, Abuja, and served on Anyanwu at his Wuye District residence, as well as on the INEC Chairman at its Maitama headquarters.

As of the time of filing this report, it remains unclear whether the affected parties have taken steps to comply with the judgment