A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered an accelerated hearing in the legal challenge against the leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) under Senator David Mark. Justice Peter Lifu issued the directive in a brief ruling on Wednesday, setting Monday, June 8, for the hearing of all pending applications before the court.
The judge also ordered all parties to exchange their legal documents within 48 hours, while the court’s bailiff must serve hearing notices to anyone seeking to join as an interested party within 24 hours.
This development follows a Supreme Court ruling last month that sent the case back to the trial court for expedited proceedings. The apex court dismissed an appeal by ADC National Chairman Senator David Mark, who had challenged an earlier Court of Appeal order requiring all parties to maintain the status quo until the case is resolved.
The trial was initially delayed on May 8 after plaintiff Nafiu Bala Gombe requested the case be transferred from the former judge, Justice Emeka Nwite. That judge had adjourned the matter indefinitely pending receipt of the Supreme Court judgment’s Certified True Copy and a decision from the Federal High Court Chief Judge on Gombe’s transfer request.
However, after the National Judicial Council recommended Justice Nwite’s appointment to the Court of Appeal, the case was reassigned to Justice Lifu.
During Wednesday’s proceedings, plaintiff’s counsel, Mr. Robert Emukpero, SAN, requested a short adjournment, reminding the court of the Supreme Court’s directive for swift handling of all pending motions. He noted that the order remains in effect since no appeal has been filed against it.
With no objections from the respondents’ counsel, the judge granted the request and scheduled June 8 for accelerated hearing.
Gombe originally filed the suit seeking to prevent Mark’s leadership from representing the ADC until the case is decided. He also asked the court to order the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to stop recognizing the Mark-led leadership.
In an earlier ruling on an interlocutory application, Justice Nwite ordered Gombe to notify the defendants so they could appear in court to explain why the application should not be granted. Instead of appearing, the defendants appealed to the Court of Appeal in Abuja, arguing that the trial court lacked jurisdiction to interfere in the ADC’s internal affairs.
The appellate court dismissed the appeal as lacking merit, ordered accelerated proceedings, and directed all parties to maintain the status quo. Mark then appealed to the Supreme Court to overturn the status quo order, but his appeal was dismissed, and the case was returned to the trial court for expedited resolution.
