The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has formally filed a petition against Justice Lifu Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja, following the recent appellate court decision that overturned his earlier judgment which led to the deregistration of the party. The petition comes after the Court of Appeal nullified the Federal High Court’s ruling that had ordered the de-registration of the ADC, Accord Party, and three other political parties. The appeal court’s decision, delivered on Wednesday, was hailed by ADC’s legal representative, Alex Adum, as a significant step toward restoring constitutionalism and the rule of law in Nigeria.
During an interview on Arise Television’s ‘Morning Show’, Adum described Justice Lifu’s original judgment as “perverse” and an example of judicial overreach. He emphasized that the appellate court had clearly stated that the plaintiffs in the case lacked legal standing to initiate the deregistration proceedings. This, according to Adum, underscores a serious failure in judicial discipline and hierarchy within the Nigerian judiciary. He argued that the Court of Appeal’s intervention reaffirms the importance of multiparty democracy and constitutional principles in the country’s political landscape.
Adum expressed relief that the appellate court had ruled against the deregistration of the five political parties, stating that the decision was based on solid legal grounds. He noted that despite overwhelming evidence presented during the lower court proceedings, Justice Lifu proceeded to deliver a judgment that contradicted established legal norms. “It was strange that, despite all the evidence before him, Justice Lifu still went ahead to deliver that perverse judgment,” Adum said, highlighting the need for accountability within the judiciary.
He further warned that several other judges at the Federal High Court have engaged in similar conduct, raising concerns about the integrity of the judicial process. Adum called on the National Judicial Council (NJC) to initiate disciplinary actions against justices who exhibit such behavior. “With the decision of the Court of Appeal yesterday, it’s now become incumbent on the NJC to activate its disciplinary procedures to ensure that these kinds of justices are punished,” he stressed.
The ADC’s petition against Justice Lifu is expected to trigger further legal and institutional scrutiny. The case has already drawn national attention, with implications for judicial independence and the protection of political rights in Nigeria. As the legal process continues, the outcome may influence how future cases involving political parties and electoral matters are handled in the courts. The ADC’s move signals a growing demand for accountability and adherence to legal standards within Nigeria’s judicial system.
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