The African Democratic Congress has reacted to the indefinite adjournment of a leadership dispute suit pending before a Federal High Court in Abuja following a request seeking the transfer of the case to another judge.
Justice Emeka Nwite adjourned the matter sine die after parties informed the court that the plaintiff, Nafiu Bala Gombe, had written to the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court requesting the reassignment of the case.
The court held that it could not make any decision on the request because the defendants had not been formally served with the application letter, while the Certified True Copy of the Supreme Court judgment connected to the matter was yet to be presented before the court.
Justice Nwite further noted that proceeding without hearing from all parties involved could amount to a violation of fair hearing principles. He subsequently ordered that the matter remain adjourned pending further directives from the Chief Judge.
Reacting to the development, the ADC accused certain political interests of attempting to manipulate the judicial process through what the party described as “judge shopping.”
In a statement issued by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the party described the move for reassignment as suspicious and politically motivated.
According to the ADC, it was unusual for a plaintiff to allegedly seek delays in a matter he personally instituted, especially after both the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court reportedly directed accelerated hearing of the case.
The party argued that the request appeared to reinforce concerns that some political actors were seeking to secure a favourable judge for the matter.
The suit was instituted by Nafiu Bala Gombe, who is challenging the emergence of former Senate President David Mark and former Osun State governor Rauf Aregbesola within the party’s leadership structure.
During proceedings, counsel to Gombe, Luka Haruna (SAN), informed the court that the Supreme Court had earlier dismissed an interlocutory appeal filed by David Mark on April 30, 2026.
However, lawyers representing the ADC, David Mark, Aregbesola, and other defendants opposed the request for reassignment, insisting that litigants do not possess the right to select judges handling their cases.
Counsel to the ADC, Rilwan Okpanachi, reportedly described the move as an “ambush,” warning that it could frustrate the accelerated hearing previously ordered by higher courts.
Similarly, counsel to David Mark, Suleiman Usman (SAN), warned that private correspondence seeking transfer of cases could set a dangerous precedent capable of undermining judicial integrity.
The defendants in the suit include the African Democratic Congress, David Mark, Rauf Aregbesola, the Independent National Electoral Commission, and former ADC National Chairman Ralph Nwosu.