Court Fast-Tracks Hearing in Nafiu’s Case Against ADC Leadership

A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered a quick hearing in the case against the leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), led by Senator David Mark. This ruling came on Wednesday from Justice Peter Lifu, who set Monday, June 8, for hearing all pending applications in the case.

The court also told all parties involved to exchange their documents within 48 hours. The court’s bailiff was directed to serve hearing notices to anyone wanting to join the case within 24 hours.

Daily Trust reminds us that last month, the Supreme Court ordered that this case be returned to the trial court for quick hearing. This came after they dismissed an appeal from ADC National Chairman David Mark, who was challenging an earlier order from the Court of Appeal. That order had told everyone involved in the case to keep things as they were.

The trial could not continue during the last session on May 8. The plaintiff, Nafiu Bala Gombe, asked for the case to be moved from the former judge, Justice Emeka Nwite. The former judge had put the case on hold until they received the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the Supreme Court's judgment and the Chief Judge's decision on the plaintiff's request to transfer the case.

After the National Judicial Council (NJC) recommended Justice Nwite for a position in the Court of Appeal, the case was reassigned to Justice Lifu. During the proceedings on Wednesday, Gombe’s lawyer, Mr. Robert Emukpero, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, requested a short adjournment. He reminded the court of the Supreme Court's order for a speedy trial of all pending processes, noting that there was no appeal against this order.

Since the other side did not object to the request, the judge agreed and set June 8 for the accelerated hearing. Gombe had asked the court to stop Mark and his team from acting as leaders of the ADC until his case against their leadership is decided. He also wanted the court to order the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) not to recognize Mark’s leadership.

In a previous ruling, Justice Nwite ordered Gombe to notify the defendants to appear in court and explain why his request should not be granted. Instead of showing up, the defendants appealed to the Court of Appeal in Abuja, questioning the trial court's right to handle what they called internal ADC matters.

The appellate court dismissed their appeal, saying it had no merit. They ordered a quick hearing in the case and told everyone to maintain the previous status. Not happy with this, Mark took the matter to the Supreme Court, seeking to overturn the order. His appeal was dismissed, and the case was sent back to the trial court for a faster trial.