The Federal High Court, Abuja Division, on Monday adjourned a suit filed by Nafiu-Bala Gombe, seeking to stop the David Mark-led leadership of the African Democratic Congress from parading themselves as party leaders until September 28.

The case, which was fixed for the hearing of all pending applications, could not proceed because the presiding judge, Peter Lifu, did not sit.

The case was subsequently fixed for September 28.

On June 16, Mr Lifu fixed the case for the hearing of all pending applications after dismissing the application seeking his recusal.

The judge, who held that the two motions filed by ADC and Rauf Aregbesola (first and third defendants) lacked merit, awarded a fine of N1 million each against ADC and Mr Aregbesola, the embattled national secretary of the party, in favour of Gombe.

ADC and Mr Aregbesola had, in separate motions, asked Mr Lifu to withdraw from the suit filed by Gombe, an aggrieved party member, citing alleged bias.

Mr Gombe, in the suit, is seeking an order restraining Messrs Mark, Aregbesola and members of their interim National Working Committee from parading themselves as the party’s leaders.

He had argued that the emergence of Messrs Mark, Aregbesola and other interim NWC members as the party’s leaders breached the provisions of the party’s constitution and the Electoral Act.

Mr Gombe sued ADC, Messrs Mark, Aregbesola, the Independent National Electoral Commission, and Ralph Nwosu as first to fifth defendants, respectively, in the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1819/2025.

Mr Nwosu was the former ADC national chairman who stepped down to allow Mr Mark to lead the party.

(NAN)