Court of Appeal adjourns ADC deregistration case to July 14

The Court of Appeal in Abuja on Tuesday adjourned hearing of the substantive appeals challenging the deregistration of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and four other political parties, fixing July 14 for the resumed hearing.

The Justice Abba Mohammed-led three-member panel shifted the date after some parties failed to file and exchange the required court processes on time.

The appeals seek to overturn a Federal High Court judgment ordering the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deregister the ADC, Action Peoples Party (APP), Action Alliance (AA), Accord Party (AP) and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP).

The Court of Appeal had, on June 16, stayed execution of the High Court judgment and criticised the trial judge, Justice Peter Lifu, for proceeding with the case despite an earlier appellate order issued on May 22 directing him to halt proceedings pending appeal.

The panel described the trial judge’s conduct as “judicial impertinence”, invoking a Supreme Court precedent that such conduct amounts to “judicial rascality.”

On June 25, the appellate court had cleared the case for full hearing following housekeeping proceedings to identify filed processes.

The National Forum of Former Legislators (NFFL) had sued the five parties and INEC in suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/2637/2026, arguing that the parties failed to meet the electoral performance thresholds under Section 225A of the 1999 Constitution and the Electoral Act 2022, specifically winning 25 per cent of votes in a state during a presidential election or securing at least one elective seat at any government tier.

The plaintiffs cited the parties’ poor showing in the 2023 general elections and subsequent by-elections.

The Attorney-General of the Federation, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, also a defendant, supported the plaintiffs’ position, arguing that INEC’s continued recognition of the parties breached its constitutional obligations.

Justice Lifu ruled in the NFFL’s favour, ordering INEC to deregister the parties and barring them from fielding candidates in the 2027 general elections.

INEC and all five parties are appealing that decision.