ADC Crisis: FHC Chief Judge reassigns Bala-Gombe’s lawsuit against Mark, Aregbesolas

The Chief Judge of the Federal High Court (FHC), Justice John Tsoho, has remanded the case filed by former National Deputy Chairman of the African Democratic Party (ADC), Nafiu Bala-Gombe, to another judge for trial.

In court documents seen by journalists on Friday, the suit filed against Justice Emeka Nwite, has been transferred to Justice Peter Lifu after the judge was appointed to the Court of Appeal recently.

The National Judicial Council (NJC), at its 111th meeting on May 13, recommended the appointment of 12 new judges to the High Court, including Justice Nwite, to President Bola Tinubu for approval.

READ ALSO: Jonathan may contest 2027 election as PDP faction moves to endorse him as candidate

Bala-Gombe, in his lawsuit, sought an order restraining former Senate President, David Mark and former Governor of Osun State, Rauf Aregbesola, from parading themselves as the National Chairman and National Secretary of the ADC.

He argued that the appearance of Mark, Aregbesola and other members of the National Working Committee (NWC) violated the provisions of the party constitution and the Election Law.

Bala-Gombe listed ADC, Mark, Aregbesola, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and Ralph Nwosu as respondents in the suit.

Nwosu is the former National Chairman of ADC who resigned due to Mark’s leadership of the party.

Justice Nwite on April 14, adjourned the case sine die (indefinitely) following Bala-Gombe’s request to await the Supreme Court’s decision in the appeal filed by Mark.

However, the Supreme Court on April 30 set aside the order made by the High Court in Abuja and directed the maintenance of status quo ante bellum in the leadership dispute in the ADC.