A Federal High Court in Abuja has fast-tracked a legal challenge against the leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), currently helmed by Senator David Mark. Justice Peter Lifu issued the order for an accelerated hearing on Wednesday, setting Monday, June 8, as the date to address all pending applications.
The court directed all parties to exchange legal documents within 48 hours and ordered its bailiff to serve hearing notices to anyone seeking to join as an interested party within 24 hours. This move follows a Supreme Court ruling last month that sent the case back to the trial court for expedited proceedings, after dismissing an appeal by Mark against an earlier Court of Appeal order to maintain the status quo.
The case, initially before Justice Emeka Nwite, stalled on May 8 when plaintiff Nafiu Bala Gombe requested a transfer to a different judge. Nwite had adjourned the matter indefinitely, pending the submission of the Supreme Court’s Certified True Copy and a decision from the Federal High Court Chief Judge on the transfer request. However, after the National Judicial Council recommended Nwite’s elevation to the Court of Appeal, the case was reassigned to Justice Lifu.
During Wednesday’s proceedings, Gombe’s counsel, Mr. Robert Emukpero, SAN, urged the court for a short adjournment, highlighting the Supreme Court’s directive for swift resolution. With no objections from the respondents’ lawyers, Justice Lifu granted the request and fixed June 8 for accelerated hearing.
Gombe originally sought a court order to prevent Mark and his team from presenting themselves as ADC leaders, and to stop the Independent National Electoral Commission from recognizing their leadership, pending the case’s outcome. In an earlier ruling, Justice Nwite ordered Gombe to notify the defendants to show cause why the injunction should not be granted. Instead, Mark appealed to the Court of Appeal, arguing the trial court lacked jurisdiction over the ADC’s internal affairs. The appellate court dismissed the appeal as lacking merit, ordered an accelerated hearing, and directed all parties to maintain the status quo. Mark’s subsequent appeal to the Supreme Court was also dismissed, returning the matter to the trial court for expedited action.
