The Court of Appeal has described Justice Peter Lifu as being unfit to sit on the bench.
The Court stated this while delivering its bench ruling in the appeal against the decision of Justice Lifu directing INEC to deregister the ADC and four other political parties.
In a unanimous decision, a three-member panel of the appellate court, led by Justice A. B. Mohammed, citing a Supreme Court judgement, held that Justice Lifu, who brazenly disrespected the order of the Court of Appeal staying further proceedings in the matter filed by the National Forum of Former Legislators, is a misfit to the bench.
The court held that Justice Lifu ‘s conduct to its order amounted to judicial pettiness and rascality.
“Courts are enjoined to protect their integrity. This Court has supervisory authority over the trial court. The decision of the lower court to proceed with the judgment despite the express order of this court is a brazen violation of the hierarchy of the court and the 1999 Constitution.
“This court has the duty to invoke its powers in ensuring that its orders are made.
“The application for stay of execution is here yet granted. The enforcement of the judgment is stayed,” the appellate court held.
It will be recalled that aside from the ADC, the other parties the high court directed INEC to deregister are the Action Peoples Party (APP), Action Alliance (AA), Accord Party (AP), and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP).
According to the court, the five political parties failed to meet the constitutional requirements to warrant their continued existence and participation in future elections.
It barred INEC from further according recognition to the parties, accepting nominations of candidates from the affected parties, or giving effect to their activities for the purpose of participating in the 2027 general elections.
Moreover, Justice Lifu ordered the defendants to stop parading themselves as registered political parties in the country.
Okikiola Adewale is a young and vibrant undergraduate pen pusher with training in both print and digital journalism. He has a flair for writing, content development and people-oriented reporting to seek societal change.
