By Ghazali Ibrahim
The Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday adjourned indefinitely a suit challenging the leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), deepening uncertainty within the party.
The case, filed by ADC chieftain Nafiu Bala Gombe, contests the emergence of former Senate President David Mark and ex-Osun State governor Rauf Aregbesola in the party’s leadership structure.
Justice Emeka Nwite ordered the indefinite adjournment after the plaintiff informed the court that a request had been made to the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court to transfer the case to another judge.
At the resumed hearing, counsel to the plaintiff, Luka Musa Haruna, told the court that the Supreme Court had on April 30 dismissed an interlocutory appeal filed by Mark, ruling it lacked merit. He added that the apex court also vacated an earlier Court of Appeal order that stayed proceedings in the substantive suit.
Haruna, however, disclosed that his client had written to the Chief Judge on May 4, seeking reassignment of the case, and urged the court to await a decision on the request.
Lawyers representing the defendants opposed the move, accusing the plaintiff of attempting to stall proceedings. Counsel to the first defendant, Realwan Okpanachi, said the defence had not been served with the application and described the move as an “ambush.”
Similarly, counsel to the second defendant, Sulaiman Usman, criticised the request as “forum shopping,” warning that entertaining such a move could set a “dangerous trend.” Another defence lawyer, P.I. Oyewole, described the application as unusual and inappropriate.
In his ruling, Justice Nwite held that the court could not act on the plaintiff’s letter without hearing all parties, noting that doing so would breach the defendants’ right to fair hearing. He further stated that since the request was directed to the Chief Judge, the trial court lacked the authority to make a pronouncement on it.
The judge subsequently adjourned the case sine die to allow parties file a certified true copy of the Supreme Court judgment, properly serve the defendants with the transfer request, and await further directives from the Chief Judge.
Gombe, in the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1819/2025, is seeking to stop Mark, Aregbesola and others from presenting themselves as ADC leaders, arguing that their emergence contravenes the party’s constitution and the Electoral Act.
