Drama as Federal High Court Judge Proceeds with Judgment, Deregisters ADC, Accord, Others Despite Appeal Court Order
By Kayode Lawal
A legal controversy erupted on Monday as Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja delivered judgment in a suit seeking the deregistration of five political parties, despite an existing order of the Court of Appeal directing him to stay further proceedings pending the determination of an interlocutory appeal.
The judgment affected the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Accord Party and three other political parties.
The development followed a unanimous decision by a three-member panel of the Court of Appeal, which on May 22, 2026, ordered the Federal High Court to suspend proceedings in the matter until issues raised in an appeal filed by the Accord Party were determined.
According to a Certified True Copy of the enrolled order, Justices Mohammed Danjuma, Adebukola Banjoko and Oyejoju Oyewumi directed Justice Lifu to halt proceedings pending the resolution of the appeal.
The appeal stemmed from an application by Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke, who sought to be joined as a defendant in the suit instituted by a group of former lawmakers seeking the deregistration of the affected political parties.
Adeleke argued that he had a substantial interest in the matter, having emerged as the Accord Party’s candidate for the August 15 governorship election in Osun State.
The governor maintained that any decision affecting the party’s status would directly impact his re-election bid.
However, Justice Lifu, in a ruling delivered on April 27, rejected Adeleke’s application to be joined in the suit.
Dissatisfied with the decision, the governor, through his counsel, Musibau Adetunbi (SAN), approached the Court of Appeal to challenge the ruling.
In its decision, the appellate court held that the issues raised by Adeleke warranted consideration and directed the trial judge not to proceed with the matter pending the determination of the appeal.
The Court of Appeal subsequently fixed October 27, 2026, for the hearing of the interlocutory appeal.
Despite the appellate court’s directive, documents filed before the court indicated that Justice Lifu declined to act on the enrolled order and notice of appeal served on him by Adetunbi, SAN, reportedly describing the move as an attempt to stall the delivery of judgment.
Although the trial judge had earlier adjourned judgment indefinitely, he proceeded on Monday to deliver his verdict, resulting in the deregistration of the five political parties.
The ruling is expected to generate fresh legal arguments over the implications of the judgment and the effect of the subsisting Court of Appeal order directing a stay of proceedings.