A Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned indefinitely the suit challenging the leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) under former Senate President David Mark.
Justice Emeka Nwite adjourned the matter sine die on Friday after the plaintiff, ADC chieftain Nafiu Bala Gombe, informed the court that he had applied to the Chief Judge for the case to be transferred to another judge.
The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1819/2025, has triggered a fresh leadership crisis within the ADC following the emergence of Mark and former Osun State governor, Rauf Aregbesola, in the party’s hierarchy.
Supreme Court Dismisses Appeal
At the resumed hearing, counsel for the plaintiff, Luka Musa Haruna, told the court that the Supreme Court had on 30 April 2026 dismissed an interlocutory appeal filed by Mark, describing it as lacking in merit. The apex court also set aside the Court of Appeal’s order staying proceedings in the substantive suit.
However, Haruna disclosed that the plaintiff had written a letter dated 4 May 2026 to the Chief Judge seeking reassignment of the case. He urged Justice Nwite to await the Chief Judge’s administrative decision.
Defence Cries Foul
The request was fiercely opposed by defence lawyers, who accused the plaintiff of attempting to frustrate the accelerated hearing ordered by the Court of Appeal and upheld by the Supreme Court.
Counsel for the first defendant, Realwan Okpanachi, described the plaintiff’s approach as an “ambush”, adding: “We have not received any communication regarding that application.”
Similarly, counsel for the second defendant, Sulaiman Usman, labelled the move “forum shopping and judge shopping”, warning it was “a dangerous trend which must not be allowed to stand”.
Counsel for the fifth defendant, P.I. Oyewole, called the request “strange” and accused the plaintiff of inviting the Chief Judge “to indulge in judicial rascality”.
Judge’s Ruling
In his ruling, Justice Nwite held that the court could not act on the letter without hearing all parties, noting that doing so would breach the defendants’ fundamental rights. He added that since the letter was addressed to the Chief Judge, the trial court could not make any pronouncement on it.
The judge subsequently adjourned the matter sine die to allow parties file a Certified True Copy of the Supreme Court judgment, serve the defendants with the letter to the Chief Judge, and await any directive from the Chief Judge.
Gombe is seeking an order restraining Mark, Aregbesola and others from parading themselves as ADC leaders, arguing that their emergence violated the party’s constitution and the Electoral Act.
