Appeal Court Adjourns ADC Deregistration Case Till July 7
The Court of Appeal in Abuja has fixed July 7 for the hearing of an appeal challenging the deregistration of five political parties, including the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and Accord Party.
The matter, initially scheduled for June 25, was adjourned to allow parties in the suit file and exchange their briefs of argument ahead of the substantive hearing.
During proceedings on Thursday, counsel for the Accord Party, Musibau Adetunbi (SAN), told the three-member panel headed by Justice Abubakar Mohammed that the record of appeal and the judgment of the Federal High Court were only obtained on Monday and had already been transmitted to the appellate court.
He subsequently sought a short adjournment to enable all parties file and exchange the necessary processes.
The request was not opposed, prompting the court to adjourn the case until 2pm on July 7.
Justice Mohammed explained that although Adetunbi requested three days to complete the filing process, some members of the panel would be away on official duties next week, making July 7 the earliest convenient date.
The appeal followed a judgment by Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court, Abuja, ordering the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deregister the ADC, Action Peoples Party (APP), Action Alliance (AA), Accord Party and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP).
Justice Lifu ruled that the parties failed to meet constitutional requirements necessary to retain their registration and participate in future elections.
INEC opposed the deregistration, arguing that the affected parties met the constitutional threshold and had produced elected officials in previous elections.
The electoral body also tendered certificates of return issued to candidates elected on the platforms of the parties.
On June 16, the Court of Appeal granted a stay of execution of the Federal High Court judgment, restraining INEC from enforcing the deregistration pending the outcome of the appeal.
In its ruling, the appellate court faulted Justice Lifu for delivering judgment despite an earlier directive ordering him to halt proceedings in the matter.
The court described the action as a violation of the hierarchy of courts and ordered that the judgment should not be enforced until the appeal is determined.
The suit was instituted by the National Forum of Former Legislators, which argued that the parties failed to meet the electoral performance benchmarks contained in Section 225A of the 1999 Constitution and relevant provisions of the Electoral Act 2022.
According to the group, the parties failed to secure the required electoral performance in the 2023 general election and subsequent by-elections and should therefore be deregistered.
INEC, however, maintained that the parties remain qualified for registration, citing electoral victories recorded by their candidates across the country.
Titilope Adako is a talented and intrepid journalist, dedicated to shedding light on the untold stories of Osun State and Nigeria. Through incisive reporting, she tackles a broad spectrum of topics, from politics and social justice to culture and entertainment, with a commitment to accuracy, empathy, and inspiring positive change.
