Federal High Court Denies ADC Leaders’ Request for Recusal
Justice Peter Riff of the Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed a request from the National Chairman and National Secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Senators David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola, to step aside from the ongoing lawsuit concerning party leadership. The ruling, issued on Tuesday, asserted that their application lacked merit.
Judge Rules on Allegations of Bias
In his judgment, Justice Riff characterized the allegations of potential bias and favoritism against him as unsubstantiated. He emphasized that the defendants, Mark and Aregbesola, failed to provide any reliable evidence to back their claims.
Costs Awarded to Plaintiff
The court ordered that both Mark and Aregbesola pay costs of NOK 500,000 each to the plaintiff, Nafiu Bala Gombe. Justice Riff noted that the applications for recusal appeared aimed at obstructing a timely resolution of the case, and he dismissed any attempts at intimidation or blackmail directed toward the court.
Court’s Stance Against Intimidation
Justice Riff firmly stated, “Responsible courts are not subject to the whims and fancies of litigants.” He reiterated his commitment to judicial integrity, asserting that judges must remain resolute in their duty to uphold justice, unaffected by external pressures.
Challenge to Legal Status of ADC
This ruling comes amid a debate surrounding the status of the ADC following Judge Riff’s previous order that mandated the deregistration of the party, along with four others. Attorneys representing the defendants sought clarification on whether the court could proceed with a case involving a party that has been ordered to be deregistered.
Judicial Instructions for Further Action
In response to the legal uncertainty raised by the defense, Justice Riff instructed the attorneys to obtain a certified true copy of the judgment and to consider the rationale behind it. He maintained that the two issues—the recusal request and the deregistration—are distinct and should be treated separately.
Background on the Legal Challenge
The lawsuit, filed under case number FHC/ABJ/CS/1819/2025 by Mr. Bala Gombe, challenges the legality of the ADC’s recent convention and the validity of the newly elected officers. Among those implicated are Mark and Aregbesola, who recently assumed their roles in a leadership reshuffle intended to bolster the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Next Steps in the Ongoing Case
The defendants’ request for Judge Riff to recuse himself due to alleged bias was ultimately denied, allowing the proceedings to move forward. The case has been adjourned until June 23 for further hearings, adding another layer of complexity to the ongoing legal battles facing the ADC, which includes disputes over its leadership structure and compliance with a court order for deregistration.
