ADC Crisis: Judge Fixes Date To Rule On Withdrawal From Case

Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed June 16 to decide whether to withdraw from the suit challenging the leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) under Senator David Mark.

Naija News reports that the judge fixed the date on Monday after lawyers in the matter adopted and argued applications seeking his recusal.

The case was filed by former ADC Deputy Chairman, Nafiu Bala Gombe, who is challenging the party’s national leadership.

The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1819/2025, has the ADC, David Mark, Rauf Aregbesola, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and Ralph Nwosu as respondents.

Except for David Mark and INEC, the other respondents asked Justice Lifu to recuse himself, transfer the case or stay proceedings over alleged bias.

A party seeking to be joined in the suit, ADC National Welfare Secretary Nkemakolam Ukandu, also supported the recusal request.

His lawyer cited petitions pending before the National Judicial Council (NJC) and another suit against the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho, and Justice Lifu.

Gombe’s counsel, Robert Emukpero, SAN, urged the court to dismiss the applications, arguing that there was no evidence of bias against the judge.

After hearing all parties, Justice Lifu said he would rule on June 16 on whether to continue with the matter or withdraw from the case.