Court to Rule June 16 on Recusal Request in ADC Leadership Dispute
By Laz Umezuruike
E-ISSN: 2354-4481
A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has fixed June 16 to determine whether Justice Peter Lifu will withdraw from hearing the suit challenging the leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) under the Senator David Mark-led executive.
The date was announced on Monday after Justice Lifu heard and adopted applications filed by various parties seeking his recusal over allegations of bias in the ongoing legal dispute.
The suit was instituted by former ADC Deputy National Chairman, Hon. Nafiu Bala Gombe, who is contesting the emergence of the party's national leadership. The matter, originally filed last year, has already gone through appellate proceedings before returning to the trial court following an order of the Supreme Court directing an accelerated hearing.
The ADC has, however, opposed Justice Lifu's continued handling of the case after he was reassigned to preside over the matter. The party argues that the proceedings should either be transferred to another judge or stayed pending the determination of issues relating to alleged bias.
Earlier, Justice Emeka Nwite had adjourned the case indefinitely on May 8 after receiving information that the plaintiff had petitioned the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho, requesting that the matter be reassigned. Justice Nwite also directed parties to provide the Supreme Court judgment ordering an expedited hearing of all pending applications.
The case was subsequently reassigned to Justice Peter Lifu, who assumed jurisdiction on June 3. After hearing submissions from counsel, he ordered an accelerated trial schedule and adjourned proceedings to June 8 for the hearing of all outstanding applications.
At Monday's proceedings, arguments became contentious as counsel identified and clarified their respective applications. Justice Lifu consequently directed all parties seeking his withdrawal to formally adopt their motions before the court.
The defendants in the suit include the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Senator David Mark, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and Chief Ralph Nwosu, listed as the first to fifth respondents in suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/1819/2025.
With the exception of Senator David Mark and INEC, the remaining respondents, alongside a party seeking to be joined in the proceedings, ADC National Welfare Secretary Nkemakolam Ukandu, urged the court to recuse itself, transfer the case, or stay further proceedings, citing concerns over impartiality.
Counsel to Ukandu, Kalu Kalu Agu, informed the court that petitions against the Chief Judge and Justice Lifu are currently pending before the National Judicial Council (NJC). He also referred to a separate suit recently filed at the Federal High Court against the NJC, Justice Tsoho, and Justice Lifu.
Opposing the applications, counsel to the plaintiff, Robert Emukpero, SAN, argued that the requests lacked merit and failed to establish any credible evidence of judicial bias against the respondents.
After considering the submissions of all parties, Justice Lifu reserved ruling until June 16, when he will decide whether to continue hearing the case or withdraw from the proceedings.
The outcome of the ruling is expected to shape the direction of the ongoing legal contest over the leadership of the ADC and the implementation of the Supreme Court's directive for an accelerated hearing.
