A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has rescheduled the hearing of a lawsuit filed by Mr. Nafiu-Bala Gombe against the Senator David Mark-led leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to June 8, 2026.
Justice Peter Lifu announced the brief postponement on Wednesday after the plaintiff’s legal team requested extra time to ensure all prospective parties to the suit were properly notified.
The decision to adjourn followed an application by the plaintiff’s lead counsel, Robert Emukpoeruo, SAN.
He pointed out that while the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had received a hearing notice but failed to send legal representation, several other parties seeking to formally join the lawsuit had not been served at all.
Responding to the development, lead counsel for the ADC, Shaibu Aruwa, SAN, reminded the court that the previous trial judge, Justice Emeka Nwite, had already acknowledged these interested parties in earlier proceedings.
Aruwa argued that it was vital to give those seeking joinder an opportunity to present their arguments in line with the principles of a fair hearing.
Lawyers representing the key co-defendants—Suleiman Usman, SAN, for Senator David Mark; Realwan Okpanachi for Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola; and P. I. Oyewole for Chief Ralph Nwosu did not oppose the postponement.
However, the defense team noted that the plaintiff’s previous request to transfer the case away from Justice Nwite had inadvertently slowed down the legal process.
In his ruling, Justice Lifu emphasized that the Federal High Court would take full responsibility for the administrative omission regarding the unserved hearing notices.
He noted that the case carries a strict mandate from both the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court for an accelerated hearing.
Justice Lifu firmly stated that no litigant retains the right to cherry-pick which judge hears their case.
He affirmed his commitment to the Chief Judge’s assignment and the apex court’s directives to dispense justice swiftly.
The Justice consequently ordered the court bailiff to serve all parties seeking to join the suit within 24 hours.
The Justice directed all legal teams to file and exchange all remaining court processes ahead of the definitive June 8 hearing.