By Ghazali Ibrahim
The Court of Appeal in Abuja has set aside the Federal High Court judgment that ordered the deregistration of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Accord Party and three other political parties.
In a judgment delivered on Tuesday, the appellate court held that the Forum of Former Legislators, which instituted the suit, lacked the legal standing (locus standi) to file the case.
The three-member panel, led by Justice Abba Bello, ruled that the suit was incompetent and consequently nullified the judgment earlier delivered by Justice Peter Odo Lifu of the Federal High Court.
The appellate court declared the lower court’s decision void and struck out the suit in its entirety.
The court also awarded a cost of N1 million against the Forum of Former Legislators, which initiated the legal action.
The ruling effectively restores the legal status of the affected political parties, including the ADC and Accord Party.
