The National Youth Wing of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has formally petitioned the National Judicial Council (NJC) demanding the immediate removal of Justice Peter Odo Lifu from all adjudicatory roles involving the party, citing serious misconduct and a threat to judicial integrity. The petition, dated June 18, 2026, was signed by Comrade Balarabe Rufai, national youth leader of the ADC, and addressed to the Executive Secretary of the NJC. During a public reading of the document outside the ADC National Secretariat, Rufai, represented by Comrade Ibrahim Garba Wala, revealed that security agents had barricaded all access roads to the NJC on Thursday, preventing the delivery of the petition.
The petition accuses Justice Lifu of “flagrant judicial rascality” and calls for his absolute dismissal from the Nigerian judiciary to preserve public trust in the bench. It specifically references his controversial ruling in suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/2637/2026, where he ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deregister the ADC and four other political parties. The ADC Youth Wing argues that this judgment was not a legal error but a politically motivated act aimed at shrinking Nigeria’s democratic space and consolidating a two-party dominance.
The petition highlights that Justice Lifu proceeded with the ruling despite a binding order from the Court of Appeal that stayed proceedings on the matter. This, according to the ADC, violates the doctrine of stare decisis and constitutes gross judicial misconduct. The youth wing also accuses the court of ignoring the plaintiffs’ illegal alteration of their legal personality during the case, without obtaining a valid court order.
The ADC’s petition underscores growing concerns over systemic erosion of public trust in the judiciary, citing repeated similar accusations in multiple petitions, including one by the Chairman of the Boot Party. The youth leaders emphasize that the continued involvement of Justice Lifu in ADC-related matters undermines fair hearings and disrespects the political rights of millions of young Nigerians.
They declare that when the judiciary compromises its integrity, the youth will become the “courtroom of public conscience.” The petition concludes with a firm demand for the NJC to act swiftly to protect institutional integrity, enforce discipline, recuse Justice Lifu from all ADC-related matters, and initiate proceedings for his removal from the bench. The statement was delivered during a live protest, underscoring the youth’s commitment to defending democratic rights.
Although the Appeal Court later ordered a stay of execution on Justice Lifu’s deregistration ruling, the ADC Youth Wing insists that the underlying judicial conduct remains unacceptable. The incident has sparked national debate on judicial independence and accountability in Nigeria’s democratic framework. As the country approaches critical electoral periods, the actions of the judiciary will be under increasing scrutiny, and the youth’s call for reform may shape future political and legal discourse.
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