African Democratic Congress (ADC) has demanded the immediate release of the certified true copy of the Federal High Court judgment that nullified the leadership of its David Mark-led faction, saying the court has yet to release the document despite payment of the required fees.
Gatekeepers News reports that the party made the demand on Monday through Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council.
Shaibu said the party’s lawyers had fulfilled all requirements for obtaining the certified copy of the judgment delivered by Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja on November 5.
According to him, counsel to the first defendant submitted a formal application on Friday, while lawyers representing the third defendant applied on Thursday, the day the judgment was delivered.
He added that both applications carried the court’s ‘PAID’ stamp, indicating that the required fees had been settled.
“The ADC demands the immediate release of Justice Peter Lifu’s judgment. He declared in open court that copies were ready. Our counsel applied for the certified copy and paid the required fee, yet the judgment remains out of reach,” Shaibu said.
He described the delay as an unjustifiable denial of access to a court decision that directly affects the party and its members.
The ADC spokesperson explained that the absence of the certified judgment was preventing the affected parties from knowing the precise orders made by the court and determining the appropriate legal steps to challenge the ruling.
He also called on the Federal High Court to explain the delay, insisting that the party had fulfilled its obligations.
Shaibu further disclosed that the party had earlier raised objections to Justice Lifu presiding over the case, with its National Secretary, Rauf Aregbesola, questioning the judge’s impartiality based on previous appellate court decisions.
He also questioned the timing of the judgment, which was delivered a day after the ADC commenced its presidential campaign in Sokoto.
“The public is entitled to ask whether this was a judicial process—or a calculated attempt to deliver a political blow while denying the party the document needed to challenge it,” he said.
The spokesperson maintained that the party would pursue all lawful remedies and approach relevant authorities over what it described as an attempt to obstruct its right to challenge the ruling.
“The ADC will not be intimidated or denied its right to challenge this ruling. Any attempt to obstruct that right will be met with every lawful action available,” he added.
Justice Lifu had, on November 5, nullified the David Mark-led caretaker leadership of the ADC and invalidated decisions taken by the faction, including the process that produced former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar as the party’s presidential candidate for the 2027 general election.
The judgment followed a suit filed by Nafiu Bala Gombe, a former Deputy National Chairman of the party, who argued that he was entitled to assume the party’s leadership following the resignation of former National Chairman, Ralph Nwosu.
Following the ruling, ADC announced that it had filed an appeal and applied for a stay of execution, while also notifying the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of the pending legal proceedings.
The party urged INEC to suspend further action on the matter pending the determination of its appeal.
