The Court of Appeal in Abuja has halted the implementation of a Federal High Court judgment that ordered the deregistration of the African Democratic Congress and four other political parties.
In a unanimous ruling delivered by a three-member panel led by Abubakar Mohammed, the appellate court granted a stay of execution, effectively preventing the enforcement of the earlier decision pending the determination of an appeal.
The court faulted the conduct of the trial judge, Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court, stating that he proceeded with the case despite an existing directive from the appellate court ordering a suspension of proceedings.
According to the panel, such action constituted a clear breach of judicial hierarchy and undermined the authority of superior courts. It described the move as a serious violation of established legal principles governing court processes.
“The application for a stay of execution succeeds. Enforcement of the judgment is hereby put on hold,” the court ruled.
The appellate court subsequently fixed June 25 for the hearing of the substantive appeal.
The earlier judgment had directed the Independent National Electoral Commission to deregister five political parties, including the ADC, Action Peoples Party, Action Alliance, Accord Party and Zenith Labour Party, on the grounds that they failed to meet constitutional performance requirements.
The Federal High Court had also barred the electoral commission from recognising the affected parties or accepting candidates nominated under their platforms for future elections.
The case was initiated by the National Forum of Former Legislators, which argued that the parties’ continued recognition violated provisions of the Constitution and the Electoral Act.
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