The Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday adjourned a suit challenging the leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) until June 8.
Justice Peter Lifu fixed the date after plaintiff Nafiu-Bala Gombe requested an adjournment as Lawyers representing parties seeking to join the suit were absent.
The court confirmed that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) received hearing notices. However, officials did not serve the notices on parties seeking joinder.
Gombe, a former ADC National Deputy Chairman, filed the suit against the party’s current leadership.
Gombe wants the court to stop former Senate President David Mark, former Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola and members of the interim National Working Committee from acting as ADC leaders while he argues that the process that produced the interim leadership violated the party’s constitution and the Electoral Act.
The suit names ADC, David Mark, Rauf Aregbesola, INEC and former National Chairman Ralph Nwosu as defendants and Nwosu stepped down and handed over the party’s leadership to Mark.
During the proceedings, ADC counsel Shaibu Aruwa (SAN) urged the court to hear parties seeking joinder saying that, the previous trial judge had already acknowledged their applications.
Plaintiff’s counsel, Robert Emukpoeruo (SAN), reminded the court of the Supreme Court’s order for an accelerated hearing. He asked the court to allow all parties to file and exchange pending processes.
Lawyers representing Mark, Aregbesola and Nwosu did not oppose the request.
However, the defence team argued that earlier actions by the plaintiff delayed the speedy hearing ordered by the apex court.
