By Ibrahim Kegbegbe
ABUJA — The Supreme Court of Nigeria has nullified an earlier directive that compelled the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to maintain the status quo in its leadership dispute, effectively restoring the leadership of David Mark.
In a unanimous judgment delivered by a five-member panel led by Justice Mohammed Lawal Garba, the apex court ruled that the Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal exceeded its authority by issuing the order after it had already dismissed the appeal before it.
The Merit Newspaper reports that the court described the directive as “unnecessary, unwarranted and improper,” stressing that such an order had no place once the substantive appeal had been struck out.
While partly upholding Mark’s appeal, the Supreme Court dismissed the aspect challenging an earlier ex parte order of the Federal High Court concerning the service of court processes initiated by aggrieved party members.
The apex court subsequently directed all parties involved in the dispute to return to the trial court for continuation of proceedings.
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The development follows an earlier move by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), which on April 1 removed Mark and Rauf Aregbesola from its records as ADC National Chairman and Secretary, respectively, citing the appellate court’s ruling.
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INEC had maintained neutrality in line with the now-vacated order, declining recognition of any faction pending the resolution of the legal battle.
