The Federal High Court in Abuja has postponed the hearing of a suit filed by Nafiu-Bala Gombe seeking to stop former Senate President David Mark and members of the interim leadership of the African Democratic Congress from acting as leaders of the party.
The matter came up on Tuesday for the hearing of pending applications filed by the parties. However, proceedings did not continue as planned after counsel representing David Mark was absent when the case was called.
At the start of proceedings, lawyers representing the other parties were present in court. To allow the absent counsel an opportunity to appear, Justice Peter Lifu agreed with the parties to stand down the matter briefly while another case was heard.
After the conclusion of the other case, the judge rose from the bench and proceedings were suspended. Lawyers involved in the matter later agreed to take a fresh date for the hearing, leading to the adjournment of the case until June 30.
The suit is part of an ongoing dispute over the leadership of the ADC following the emergence of an interim National Working Committee led by David Mark. Gombe is asking the court to restrain Mark, Aregbesola and other members of the interim leadership from presenting themselves as officials of the party.
According to the claimant, the process that produced the interim leadership did not comply with provisions of the ADC constitution and the Electoral Act. He is seeking judicial intervention to invalidate the arrangement and prevent the affected individuals from continuing in those roles.
The case was previously before the court on June 16, when Justice Lifu dismissed applications filed by the ADC and Aregbesola seeking his withdrawal from the matter. The defendants had argued that the judge should step aside because of alleged bias.
The court, however, ruled that the requests lacked merit and refused to withdraw from the case. Justice Lifu also ordered both the ADC and Aregbesola to pay a fine of N1 million each to Gombe.
The suit lists the ADC, David Mark, Rauf Aregbesola, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and former ADC National Chairman Ralph Nwosu as defendants.
Nwosu had stepped down from his position before the emergence of the interim leadership headed by Mark. The outcome of the case is expected to determine the legality of the current leadership structure within the party as it prepares for future political activities.
With the latest adjournment, all parties are expected to return to court on June 30, when the pending applications and other issues in the matter will be considered.