Supreme Court to Hear ADC Leadership Crisis on April 22

The Supreme Court has set April 22 for a hearing concerning the leadership crisis within the African Democratic Congress (ADC). This decision follows an appeal filed by a faction led by former Senate President David Mark.

The five-member panel, headed by Justice Moham Garba, has instructed Mark's faction to file necessary legal documents and respond within 24 hours. The court has also mandated that all briefs be exchanged by April 20.

Mark's counsel, Jubril Okutepa, SAN, withdrew a motion that sought to maintain the status quo, explaining it was no longer necessary. The Supreme Court agreed to expedite the hearing of the substantive appeal and struck the motion from the record.

The appeal challenges a March 12 judgment from the Court of Appeal, which ordered the maintenance of the status quo concerning the party's leadership. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has recognized Mark's faction as the legitimate leadership pending the resolution of the dispute.