Supreme Court sets aside ‘status quo antebellum’ order regarding ADC leadership crisis

The Supreme Court on Thursday rejected the Court of Appeal’s ruling on the leadership crisis of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

The appeals court several weeks ago ordered the parties to the dispute to maintain the antebellum status quo.

Status quo antebellum in legal terms means the situation that existed before the dispute occurred.

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A three-member appeals court panel rejected an appeal filed by a David Mark-led group challenging the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court to entertain a lawsuit filed by ADC member Nafiu Gombe.

But in Thursday’s hearing, the top court said the appeals court was correct in ordering the parties to return to the lower court where the party leadership dispute occurred.

On the issue of jurisdiction, the court faulted the appellant and noted that the highest court had jurisdiction to entertain appeals from lower courts, citing article 233 of the 1999 constitution.

The parties are now ordered to return to the Federal Court of Appeal on this matter.