ADC Youths storm Abuja court to demand sack of Justice Lifu over party deregistration

By Precious Mark

Members of the National Youth Wing of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) stormed and barricaded the gates of the Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday, demanding the immediate dismissal of Justice Peter Odo Lifu over a controversial ruling that ordered the deregistration of the party.

Led by the ADC National Youth Leader, Comrade Balarabe Rufai, the protesters accused the judge of judicial rascality and of converting the temple of justice into a political marketplace ahead of the upcoming general elections.

The demonstration follows a controversial ruling delivered by Justice Lifu in suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/2637/2026, which directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deregister the ADC alongside four other opposition platforms.

Addressing journalists during the protest, Rufai stated that the judgment was a blatant overreach and a direct assault on the Constitution.

He noted that the trial judge proceeded to deliver the ruling in open defiance of a binding Court of Appeal order that had stayed further proceedings on the matter.

“The temple of justice cannot be converted into a political marketplace where the democratic rights of millions of young Nigerians are auctioned off to the highest bidder.”

“We will not sit idly by while compromised benches attempt to artificially contract the political space and manufacture a two-party monopoly,” Rufai said.

The youth leader also revealed that the group had officially submitted a protest petition to the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Hon. Justice Kudirat Motonmori Olatokunbo Kekere-Ekun.

The petition calls on the National Judicial Council (NJC) to swiftly investigate and dismiss the judge in order to protect the integrity of the judiciary.

While thanking the party loyalists and civil society allies who turned out for the demonstration, Rufai urged opposition members across the country to remain resilient yet law-abiding.

He vowed that the youths would maintain a sustained presence in the public square through nonviolent resistance until the bench is purged of political bias and complete justice is served.