ADC Challenges Court’s Jurisdiction in Suit Against Mark-Led Leadership

ADC Challenges Court’s Jurisdiction in Suit Against Mark-Led Leadership

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has told a Federal High Court in Abuja that it lacks the power to remove its current leadership under former Senate President David Mark and former Interior Minister Rauf Aregbesola.

The case was filed by the party’s former Deputy National Chairman, Nafiu Bala Gombe, who is seeking to sack the interim National Working Committee led by Mark and Aregbesola.

Gombe had asked the court to dissolve the new leadership and restrain the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognising it.

At the resumed sitting, counsel to the ADC urged the court to dismiss the suit, arguing that it was an abuse of judicial process and non-justiciable since it revolved around the party’s internal affairs.

The party maintained that only its National Convention had the constitutional power to elect or remove national officers.

The matter, however, suffered a setback as the court observed that the plaintiffs had not properly served court papers on all defendants. Justice Inyang Ekwo ruled that service must be effected individually unless the court orders otherwise, stressing that due process must be followed before hearing could proceed.

Earlier, the court had declined an ex-parte application seeking to restrain INEC from recognising the Mark-led leadership, directing instead that the defendants be put on notice.

The case was adjourned to September 30 to allow for proper service and continuation of hearing.