The Court of Appeal in Abuja has officially reserved its ruling regarding an appeal to overturn a Federal High Court mandate. That original order instructed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to revoke the registration of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and four other political organizations.
Led by Justice Abba Bello Mohammed, a three-member appellate panel finalized the session on Tuesday after legal representatives finished presenting their arguments. The court will announce the decision date at a later time. Beyond the ADC, the affected parties include the Action Peoples Party (APP), Action Alliance (AA), Accord Party (AP), and the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP).
Previously, on June 16, the appellate court issued a stay of execution on the High Court ruling. During those proceedings, the justices criticized Justice Peter Odo Lifu for failing to pause the case despite receiving direct orders to stay proceedings pending an interlocutory appeal. The appellate panel characterized this failure to follow judicial hierarchy as a form of judicial impertinence.
Justice Lifu had initially ordered the removal of these parties based on claims brought by the National Forum of Former Legislators (NFFL). The NFFL argued that the parties failed to meet electoral performance benchmarks set by the 1999 Constitution and the Electoral Act 2022, such as securing specific vote shares or winning elective seats. Supporting this view, Attorney General Prince Lateef Fagbemi stated that maintaining the registration of these parties contradicts constitutional provisions. The appellants are now seeking to have the original high court verdict completely set aside.
