● “Lack of confidence” — ADC scribe says Justice Lifu’s past rulings undermine impartiality
ADC National Secretary Rauf Aregbesola has asked Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court, Abuja to recuse himself from the party’s leadership crisis suit, citing “lack of confidence” in the judge’s impartiality. The application was filed on June 2, less than 24 hours to Wednesday’s scheduled hearing.
The suit was reassigned to Justice Lifu by Chief Judge John Tsoho after Justice Emeka Nwite, who previously handled the case, was elevated to the Court of Appeal.
In a motion on notice dated June 1, Aregbesola through lawyer Mohammed Sheriff listed 7 grounds. He argued the Constitution guarantees every litigant a hearing before an independent and impartial panel.
The ADC scribe cited Justice Lifu’s rulings in a separate suit: _Incorporated Trustees of the National Forum of Former Legislators vs. INEC & 6 others_, where ADC is 3rd defendant.
He alleged the court:
1. Gave rulings “against established principles of law and adverse to the applicant and his party”
2. Ordered accelerated hearing despite it not being a pre-election or urgent matter
3. Refused two motions for stay of proceedings and ordered defence to be entered, even after being told of a pending appeal at the Court of Appeal
Aregbesola said the Court of Appeal later granted a stay of proceedings on May 22 “in complete indignation and irritation at this court’s refusal to stay further proceedings.”
“The applicant has no confidence in this court to administer justice in these proceedings. It is in the interest of Justice that the matter be heard by another judge,” the motion stated.
—What the suit is about—
The case was filed by Nafiu-Bala Gombe, former ADC National Deputy Chairman. He is seeking an order restraining Senator David Mark, the interim National Chairman; Aregbesola, National Secretary; and the interim NWC from parading themselves as ADC leaders.
Gombe argues their emergence breached the party’s constitution and Electoral Act. Defendants are ADC, Mark, Aregbesola, INEC, and Ralph Nwosu — former ADC chairman who stepped down for Mark.
The leadership tussle deepened after former VP Atiku Abubakar emerged ADC presidential candidate on May 27, while a rival faction conducted another convention on May 24 and adopted 2023 candidate Dumebi Kachikwu.
Hearing is scheduled for Wednesday, June 3, 2026.
