The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has taken its grievances against the Federal High Court’s deregistration ruling to the National Judicial Council (NJC), filing a petition against Justice Peter Lifu over his handling of the case involving the party and four other political organisations.
The party’s National Legal Adviser and former Edo State Governor, Professor Oserheimen Osunbor, disclosed this during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Wednesday, where he accused the judge of acting contrary to the authority of the Court of Appeal.
Osunbor said the petition was aimed at protecting the credibility of the judiciary, alleging that Justice Lifu continued with proceedings despite an appellate court order directing that the matter be suspended.
“The rule of law depends on strict compliance with court orders, particularly those issued by superior courts, ” he said.
Osunbor made the statement during his television appearance, stressing that no judicial officer should disregard directives from a higher court.
He added that the Supreme Court would continue to uphold the principle that valid court orders remain binding until overturned through lawful procedures.
The legal adviser also raised concerns over moves to deregister opposition parties, warning that such actions could affect public confidence in Nigeria’s democratic process.
The dispute followed an earlier Federal High Court judgment that ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deregister ADC, Action Peoples Party (APP), Action Alliance (AA), Accord Party (AP), and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP).
However, the Court of Appeal in Abuja later overturned the decision, ruling that the case brought by the National Forum of Former Legislators was incompetent because the group lacked the legal standing to institute the action.
The appellate court also criticised the continuation of the case at the Federal High Court despite a pending appeal and an order to halt proceedings.
In its unanimous judgment, the Court of Appeal held that the Federal High Court lacked jurisdiction to entertain the suit and restored the status of all five political parties.
The ruling also removed restrictions preventing INEC from recognising the parties and accepting their candidates, clearing the way for them to participate as registered political organisations ahead of the 2027 general elections.
