The party also raised concerns about alleged bias in the handling of a suit before Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja, which centres on a challenge to the David Mark-led National Working Committee of the party.
David Mark leads the faction being challenged in the substantive dispute, which has continued to generate parallel court actions and complaints about judicial assignment of the matter.
In a filing dated June 4, ADC National Welfare Secretary, Nkemakolam Ukandu, asked the court to be joined in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1819/2025, which was originally filed by Bala Nafiu against the party leadership.
Ukandu’s application also includes a petition to the National Judicial Council (NJC), urging it to review how the case has been handled and to reassign it to another judge. He argued that recent procedural decisions ignored earlier directives linked to Supreme Court proceedings and prior orders issued within the Federal High Court system.
At the centre of the complaint is the claim that a Supreme Court decision delivered on April 30, 2026, directed that the case be returned to Justice Emeka Nwite for continuation of pending applications, particularly those challenging jurisdiction.
According to the filing, complications arose after the matter resumed before Justice Nwite, who later halted further proceedings pending compliance steps, including service of relevant correspondence and submission of certified records.
Ukandu alleged that the Chief Judge reassigned the case despite those developments, a move he described as inconsistent with higher court directions. He further argued that the reassignment led to Justice Lifu taking over the matter and scheduling proceedings shortly after.
The ADC also questioned the fairness of subsequent proceedings, stating that the party’s legal team was not properly notified ahead of a hearing held on June 3, 2026.
The filing expands beyond procedure, raising broader claims of bias in judicial assignment. It references public commentary attributed to legal scholar Chidi Odinkalu and alleges that politically sensitive cases are being directed to specific judges, an assertion the party says undermines confidence in neutrality.
It further links the controversy to broader political tensions involving Nyesom Wike, who is mentioned in the filing in relation to alleged influence over politically charged litigation, and Bola Ahmed Tinubu, whose administration is referenced in the arguments presented to the court.
The ADC is asking the court for several remedies, including an order restraining Justice Lifu from continuing with the matter pending the outcome of its petition before the NJC. It is also seeking a directive compelling the NJC to investigate allegations of procedural misconduct, bias, and abuse of judicial authority raised in the suit.
The case adds another layer to the ongoing leadership dispute within the ADC, which has already produced competing court filings and repeated objections over jurisdiction and assignment of judges.
