The Supreme Court has set aside an order directing the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to maintain the status quo amid its ongoing leadership crisis.
In a unanimous ruling delivered by a five-member panel led by Justice Mohammed Lawal Garba, the apex court held that the Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal exceeded its jurisdiction by issuing the order after it had already dismissed the case brought before it by one faction of the party.
The court described the directive as “unnecessary, unwarranted and improper,” noting that it was made in an appeal that had already been struck out.
While ruling on the matter, the Supreme Court said an appeal filed by David Mark succeeded in part. However, it dismissed the aspect challenging an ex parte order of the Federal High Court regarding the service of court processes in the suit instituted by aggrieved party members.
The court subsequently directed all parties to return to the trial court for the continuation of proceedings.
Earlier, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had, on April 1, removed Mark and Rauf Aregbesola from its website as the ADC’s National Chairman and Secretary, respectively, citing the Court of Appeal’s judgment.
INEC also stated that, in compliance with the order to maintain the status quo, it would not recognise any faction of the party until the dispute is resolved.
