The Supreme Court has overturned the order that required the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to maintain its previous leadership structure while its internal crisis remains unresolved.
In a unanimous ruling by a five-member panel led by Justice Mohammed Lawal Garba, the apex court declared that the Court of Appeal in Abuja overstepped its bounds.
The justices noted that the appellate court should not have issued such a directive after it had already dismissed the case brought by one of the party factions.
The Supreme Court stated, “Giving such an order in an appeal it had already dismissed was unnecessary, unwarranted and improper.”
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The appeal, which was filed by Senator David Mark, was partially successful. While the court dismissed a portion challenging how legal papers were served in the original suit, it ruled in his favor regarding the status quo order.
Consequently, the Supreme Court has ordered the warring factions to return to the trial court to continue the hearing of their case.
This legal battle has had major consequences for the party’s leadership. On April 1, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) removed David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola from its official portal and website as the ADC National Chairman and Secretary.
At the time, INEC explained that it would not recognize any faction until the legal dispute was fully settled, following the now-vacated order to maintain the status quo.
