- Justice Lifu stressed that litigants do not have the authority to choose the judge who handles their cases
- Court records showed that INEC had received hearing notices
- The judge also accepted responsibility for delays in serving the interested parties and ordered that they be served within 24 hours
The leadership dispute within the African Democratic Congress suffered another delay on Wednesday as the Federal High Court in Abuja postponed proceedings in the case challenging the party’s interim leadership.
Eko Hot Blog gathered that Justice Peter Lifu adjourned the matter until June 8, citing the need to ensure that all parties seeking to participate in the suit are properly served and given an opportunity to be heard.
EDITOR’S PICK
- APM Endorses Makinde For 2027 Presidency, Targets PDP Members In Osun
- Eredo Monarchs Suspend Ojude Oba Celebrations in Honour of Late Omola of Odomola
- “Do Not Cheat Back”—Actress Eriata Ese Warns Women Against Revenge Infidelity
The case, filed by former ADC National Deputy Chairman Nafiu-Bala Gombe, questions the legality of the party’s current interim leadership arrangement.
At the resumed hearing, counsel to the plaintiff, Robert Emukpoeruo (SAN), informed the court that legal representatives of parties seeking to be joined in the suit were absent. Lawyers representing the Independent National Electoral Commission and other interested parties were also not in attendance.
Court records showed that INEC had received hearing notices, while those seeking to join the case had yet to be formally served.
Counsel to the ADC, Shaibu Aruwa (SAN), reminded the court that the interested parties had previously appeared in proceedings before the former trial judge and argued that they should be given the opportunity to explain their interest in the matter in line with the principles of fair hearing.
The plaintiff’s lawyer agreed that all pending applications and court processes should be regularised before the matter proceeds, requesting additional time for all parties to fully participate.
The application for adjournment was not opposed by lawyers representing former Senate President David Mark, former Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola and former ADC National Chairman Ralph Nwosu.
However, defence counsel maintained that previous efforts to seek reassignment of the case had slowed down proceedings despite directives from higher courts for an expedited hearing.
In his ruling, Justice Lifu stressed that litigants do not have the authority to choose the judge who handles their cases. He noted that the court was bound by directives from both the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeal to ensure a fair and speedy resolution of the dispute.
The judge also accepted responsibility for delays in serving the interested parties and ordered that they be served within 24 hours. He further directed all parties to file and exchange relevant court documents before the next hearing date.
Gombe is asking the court to stop David Mark, Aregbesola and members of the ADC’s interim National Working Committee from functioning as party officers, arguing that the process that produced the interim leadership violated both the party’s constitution and provisions of the Electoral Act.
The legal battle comes amid ongoing divisions within the ADC, with one faction backing former Vice President Atiku Abubakar as its presidential candidate for the 2027 election, while another faction has adopted Dumebi Kachikwu as its flagbearer.
FURTHER READING
