The Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned a suit filed by Mr Nafiu-Bala Gombe, challenging the leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) under David Mark until June 8, 2026.
Justice Peter Lifu fixed the new hearing date on Wednesday after counsel to the plaintiff, Robert Emukpoeruo (SAN), requested an adjournment due to the absence of lawyers representing parties seeking to join the case.
When proceedings commenced, legal representatives for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the parties applying to be joined in the suit were absent. Court records, however, showed that INEC had been duly served with a hearing notice, while the other parties had yet to be served.
Counsel to the ADC, Shaibu Aruwa (SAN), informed the court that parties seeking to join the matter had already featured in earlier proceedings before the previous trial judge, Justice Emeka Nwite, who had taken judicial notice of their applications.
Aruwa urged the court to allow the parties an opportunity to state why they should be joined in the case, stressing the need to uphold the principles of fair hearing.
In response, Emukpoeruo cited the Supreme Court’s directive for an accelerated hearing of the matter, in line with an earlier judgment of the Court of Appeal. He requested time for all pending court processes to be filed and served on the affected parties.
Lawyers representing the defendants, including David Mark, former Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola, and former ADC National Chairman Ralph Nwosu, did not oppose the application for adjournment.
However, the defence team argued that delays in the case had been partly caused by the plaintiff’s earlier request for the matter to be reassigned when it was before Justice Nwite, a move they stated frustrated the Supreme Court’s directive for speedy hearing.
Justice Lifu maintained that litigants do not have the authority to choose the judge who hears their case. He added that, having been assigned the matter by the Chief Judge and guided by the Supreme Court’s order, the court was committed to ensuring justice and expeditious resolution.
The judge subsequently ordered accelerated hearing of the case and directed the court bailiff to serve all parties seeking joinder within 24 hours.
“In the circumstances of this case and in the overall interest of justice, as well as the orders of the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeal, this matter shall be given accelerated hearing,” Justice Lifu ruled.
He also directed all parties to file and exchange their legal processes before the next hearing date.
Gombe is seeking a court order restraining David Mark, ADC National Secretary Rauf Aregbesola and members of the party’s interim National Working Committee (NWC) from acting as the recognised leaders of the party.
According to the plaintiff, the emergence of the interim leadership allegedly violated provisions of the ADC constitution and Nigeria’s Electoral Act.
Meanwhile, another faction of the party recognised Dumebi Kachikwu as its candidate of the party for the 2027 general election.