The Court of Appeal in Abuja has suspended the execution of a Federal High Court judgment that ordered the deregistration of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and four other political parties, providing temporary relief for opposition candidates including ADC presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar.
In a unanimous ruling on Tuesday, a three-member panel, led by Justice A.B. Mohammed, fiercely criticised Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court for proceeding with the judgment despite an earlier appellate court order directing him to suspend proceedings. The panel described the lower court’s action as an “affront on the hierarchy of courts” and “the highest form of judicial impertinence.”
The Appeal Court stopped the ADC deregistration, effectively preserving the party’s registration status pending the determination of the substantive appeals. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), which had sought the stay, stated it was unaware of the judgment’s delivery and only learned of it through media reports.
Reacting to the ruling, Atiku welcomed the decision, noting that “INEC itself initiated the application for the stay.” However, he warned against what he described as “judicial contradictions” and “politically charged rulings” that undermine Nigeria’s democracy. The appellate court has fixed June 25 for definite hearing in all the appeals.
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