Appeal Court reprieve: David Mark says Judiciary on trial over ADC deregistration case

The National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Sen. David Mark, has declared that the Nigerian Judiciary is under scrutiny following the controversy surrounding the attempted deregistration of the ADC and four other political parties by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Sen. David Mark made the remarks on Tuesday after the Court of Appeal in Abuja ordered a stay of execution of a Federal High Court judgment that directed INEC to deregister the ADC, Action Peoples Party (APP), Action Alliance (AA), Accord Party and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP).

The Appellate Court, in a unanimous decision delivered by a three-member panel led by Justice A.B. Mohammed, faulted Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court for proceeding with the judgment despite an earlier order of the Court of Appeal directing him to suspend proceedings in the matter.

The court described the action as a violation of judicial hierarchy and granted an application staying the enforcement of the deregistration order.

Reacting to the ruling, Sen. David Mark said the ADC was not the institution on trial but the Judiciary itself. Speaking at the ADC Strategic Communications Retreat in Abuja, the former Senate President said Nigerians were waiting to see how the National Judicial Council (NJC) would handle the situation.

He accused Justice Lifu of disregarding a subsisting Court of Appeal order and questioned how conflicting decisions could emerge from the same case within a short period. Sen. David Mark also alleged that attempts were being made to distract opposition parties ahead of future elections but assured supporters that the ADC would remain strong and continue its political activities.

Several political stakeholders welcomed the appellate court’s decision and called for disciplinary action against Justice Lifu.

ADC National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, described the ruling as a sign that the Judiciary could still restore public confidence, while urging the NJC to take action against judges whose conduct damages the image of the institution.

Similarly, APP National Leader, Ikenga Ugochinyere, said the ruling vindicated the party’s position and called on the NJC to address judicial inconsistencies that could weaken public trust in the courts.

Former Vice President and ADC presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, also welcomed the judgment, warning against any attempt to use the judiciary to undermine democracy. He noted that judicial contradictions had placed the courts under intense public scrutiny.

A civil society organisation, Tap Initiative for Citizens’ Development, also urged the NJC to investigate Justice Lifu over allegations that he delivered judgment despite an existing appellate court order staying proceedings.

The group said adherence to judicial hierarchy and due process was essential to preserving public confidence in the Judiciary and protecting Nigeria’s democratic system.

With the Court of Appeal’s ruling, the ADC and the four other affected parties remain registered and eligible to participate in future elections while the legal dispute continues.