Ogala: New INEC chair Amupitan not part of Tinubu’s election legal team

Babatunde Ogala, a senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN), says Joash Amupitan, the newly nominated chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), was not part of the legal team that defended President Bola Tinubu at the election tribunal.

Tinubu had recently nominated Amupitan as the new chairman of INEC following the exit of Mahmood Yakubu, who has completed his two-term of 10 years.

On Thursday, the council of state unanimously approved the nomination of Amupitan as the next INEC chairman.

His nomination is subject to the senate’s confirmation.

Amupitan, 58, is a professor of law at the University of Jos (UNIJOS), Plateau state, where he also serves as the deputy vice-chancellor (administration).

However, shortly after his nomination, there were reports alleging that the new INEC chairman was among the lawyers who defended Tinubu’s victory in the 2023 elections at the tribunal.

Reacting to the claim, Ogala, the coordinator of the Tinubu presidential legal team, said in a statement on Friday that Amupitan was not among the 123 lawyers assembled to represent Tinubu at the tribunal.

The senior advocate challenged those peddling the claim to produce evidence to indicate that Amupitan was among the Tinubu legal team.

“As the erstwhile coordinator of that legal team, I feel compelled, not as a rejoinder, but in service to truth and public interest, to set the records straight and allay any concerns these malicious fabrications may have caused among well-meaning Nigerians,” the statement reads.

“For the avoidance of doubt, Prof. Amupitan SAN was never, at any point, a member of the Tinubu Presidential Legal Team.

“His name does not appear among the over one hundred and twenty-three legal practitioners who were formally engaged for that assignment, of whom sixty (60) were distinguished Senior Advocates of Nigeria.

“At no time during the entire process was his counsel, opinion, or professional service sought or rendered.

“I therefore challenge anyone peddling this falsehood to produce verifiable evidence to the contrary. In fact, any member of the public may apply for Certified True Copies of all legal processes filed on behalf of the president-elect (as he then was) to confirm the authenticity of this statement.

“While political discourse is inevitable in any democracy, it is essential that our engagement remains anchored on truth, decency, and national stability. Deliberately twisting facts to inflame public sentiment serves no one and only endangers our collective peace.”

When TheCable checked the certified true copies of the verdicts of the presidential election petition tribunal and supreme court, Amupitan’s name was not listed as counsel in the case.

Copies of the judgment can be seen here, and here.