The group stressed that the credibility of the judiciary depends on strict adherence to due process, judicial discipline and respect for the hierarchy of courts.
A civil society organisation, Tap Initiative for Citizens’ Development, has petitioned the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, and the National Judicial Council (NJC), demanding an investigation into alleged judicial misconduct by Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court, Abuja Division.
The group, in a petition dated June 16, 2026, asked the NJC to investigate and consider disciplinary action against Justice Lifu over a recent judgment that ordered the deregistration of several political parties, including the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Accord Party, Action Peoples Party (APP), Action Alliance (AA), and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP).
Tap Initiative alleged that the judgment was delivered despite the existence of ongoing appellate proceedings before the Court of Appeal concerning the same subject matter.
According to the group, an appeal marked CA/ABJ/CV/569/2026 was already before the appellate court, which had issued an Enrolment Order granting a stay of proceedings in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/2637/2025 — the same matter in which Justice Lifu later delivered judgment.
