ADC Leadership Dispute: Lawyers Challenge Judge Over Continued Hearing After Deregistration Order

|By Adekunle Adejumo and Comfort Awaji-ikanminsan-The ADC leadership dispute took a fresh turn on Tuesday after senior lawyers questioned the decision of Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja to continue hearing a case involving the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

The lawyers argued that Justice Lifu had, in a judgment delivered on Monday, ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deregister five political parties, including the ADC. They maintained that the ruling effectively removed the party’s legal status, making further proceedings involving it questionable.

At the resumed hearing, Dr Suleiman Usman (SAN), representing David Mark, alongside counsel for Rauf Aregbesola and Nkemakolam Ukandu, demanded clarification on the party’s status before the court proceeded.

They argued that if the ADC had already been deregistered, there would be no legal basis for the court to continue hearing matters concerning its leadership. The lawyers said the clarification would determine whether they remained in court or withdrew from the proceedings.

However, Justice Lifu asked whether counsel had obtained and reviewed the certified true copy of his judgment. After they answered in the negative, he directed them to study the ruling, stressing that the deregistration case differed from the ADC leadership dispute.

Meanwhile, the judge rejected an application by David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola seeking his withdrawal from the case. Justice Lifu described the request as lacking merit and ruled that allegations of bias, prejudice and partiality were unsupported by evidence.

He further stated that the application appeared designed to delay proceedings and insisted that courts must not yield to intimidation or pressure from litigants.

The judge subsequently dismissed the application and ordered David Mark and Aregbesola to pay N500,000 each to the plaintiff, Nafiu Bala Gombe.

The ADC leadership dispute will return to court on 23 June 2026 for further hearing.