The Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed May 8 for the hearing of a suit filed by Nafiu Bala challenging the leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) under the faction led by former Senate President, David Mark.
Gatekeepers News reports that Justice Emeka Nwite, the presiding judge, scheduled the hearing following a request from Bala’s legal team urging the court to set a date for accelerated hearing in line with earlier appellate decisions.
In a letter dated May 5 and addressed to the Deputy Chief Registrar of the Federal High Court, Bala’s counsel requested an expedited hearing after recent rulings by higher courts.
“We, Robert Emukpoeruo, SAN, Lukman O. Fagbemi, SAN, and Lukas Musa Haruna, SAN, still representing Hon. Nafiu Bala Gombe, the plaintiff in the above matter pending before His Lordship, Hon. Justice Emeka Nwite of Court No. 8,” the letter stated.
“Following the dismissal of the interlocutory appeal filed by Senator David Mark by the Supreme Court of Nigeria on April 30, 2026, we hereby apply for a date for the accelerated hearing of this matter in accordance with the judgment of the Court of Appeal.
“Find enclosed herewith, the judgment of the Court of Appeal, which ordered for the accelerated hearing of this case.
“We shall be most grateful if you bring this application to the notice of His Lordship for his prompt action.”
Background of the Case
On September 2, 2025, Bala, a former vice chairman of the ADC, filed a suit (FHC/ABJ/CS/1819/2025) seeking to restrain Mark and his faction from presenting themselves as the party’s leadership.
At an ex parte hearing on September 4, 2025, Justice Nwite ordered that all respondents, including the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), be put on notice to show cause why the interim relief should not be granted.
Before the interim order, Bala had declared himself national chairman of the ADC at a press briefing in Abuja, accusing the Mark-led faction of unlawfully taking over the party and violating its constitution. He also denied resigning as deputy national chairman.
Dissatisfied with the ruling, Mark challenged the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court. However, on March 12, 2026, the Court of Appeal dismissed his appeal, describing it as incompetent and lacking merit, while ordering parties to maintain the status quo ante bellum.
The leadership crisis escalated when the Mark-led faction approached the Supreme Court after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) withdrew recognition following the appellate court judgment.
On April 30, 2026, the Supreme Court ordered that the matter be returned to the Federal High Court for full hearing, setting aside the earlier status quo order and describing it as “unnecessary, unwarranted and improper.”
The case is now expected to proceed at the Federal High Court on Friday.
