The Court of Appeal in Abuja on Tuesday suspended the execution of a Federal High Court judgement that ordered the deregistration of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and four other political parties, handing a major reprieve to Nigeria’s opposition coalition ahead of the 2027 general election.
The Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deregister the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Action Peoples Party (APP), Action Alliance (AA), Accord Party (A) and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) for their alleged failure to meet requirements for existence.
But in a unanimous ruling, a three-member panel led by Justice A.B. Mohammed granted a stay of execution of the lower court’s judgment and sharply criticised Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court for proceeding with the case despite an earlier order directing him to halt further proceedings.
The appellate court held that the trial judge acted in defiance of its May 22 order, describing the action as a violation of the judicial hierarchy and constitutional order.
According to the court, proceeding to judgment despite a subsisting appellate directive amounted to “the highest form of judicial impertinence” and undermined the authority of superior courts. “The enforcement of the judgment is hereby stayed,” the court ruled.
