Court of Appeal Clears ADC and Others from Deregistration

On a recent ruling, the Court of Appeal in Abuja overturned a Federal High Court decision that mandated the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deregister the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Action Peoples Party (APP), Action Alliance (AA), Accord Party (AP), and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP). The three-member panel, led by Justice Abba Mohammed, unanimously declared the previous judgement as “null and void,” stating that the trial court, presided over by Justice Peter Lifu, lacked jurisdiction as the suit was filed by a non-juristic entity, the Incorporated Trustees of the National Forum of Former Legislators (NFFL).

The appellate court found that the evidence indicated compliance with Section 225A of the 1999 Constitution. Furthermore, the court criticized the trial court for not adhering to its prior directive to stay proceedings, labeling it as judicial insubordination.

The court also imposed a cost of N1 million against NFFL for filing the case.