Court adjourns ADC deregistration case after hearing new applications
The Federal High Court in Abuja has heard fresh arguments in the ongoing suit seeking the deregistration of the African Democratic Congress and other political parties. Defendants in the case urged the court to stay proceedings due to a pending appeal at the Court of Appeal. Justice Peter Lifu adjourned the matter after considering applications for a stay of proceedings and joinder. The case involves several political parties and the Independent National Electoral Commission, with multiple parties seeking to join the suit.
What we know
- Justice Peter Lifu adjourned the case till May 18, 2026, after hearing applications for stay of proceedings and joinder.
- Counsel for the sixth defendant, Musibau Adetunbi, argued for suspension of the trial, citing a pending appeal and Supreme Court authorities.
- The plaintiff’s counsel, Yakubu Abdullahi Ruba, SAN, opposed the stay, arguing that the appeal was interlocutory and did not strip the court of jurisdiction.
- Several politicians and party members filed applications to join the suit as defendants, claiming they would be affected by the outcome.
- The Chairman of the Incorporated Trustees of the NFFL, Raphael Igbokwe, clarified that the suit aims to seek clarification on Section 225 (a) of the Constitution and is not targeted against any political party.
