The Federal High Court in Abuja has heard fresh arguments in a case seeking the deregistration of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Accord Party, and several other political parties, as defendants urged the court to suspend proceedings pending an appeal at the Court of Appeal.
The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2637/2026, was filed by the Incorporated Trustees of the National Forum of Former Legislators against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and multiple political parties.
At Monday’s sitting, several defence counsels, including Musibau Adetunbi (SAN) for the Accord Party, urged the court to stay proceedings, arguing that an appeal already filed before the Court of Appeal should first be determined before the trial continues.
They contended that continuing with the case could prejudice issues already before the appellate court and urged Justice Peter Lifu to halt further proceedings.
Lawyers representing the ADC, Action Alliance, Action Peoples Party, and Zenith Labour Party aligned with the request for a stay of proceedings, insisting that the lower court should await the outcome of the appeal.
Some defence counsel also argued that jurisdictional issues raised in the case should be resolved by the appellate court before further steps are taken.
On the other hand, counsel for the plaintiffs, Yakubu Abdullahi Ruba, opposed the applications, arguing that the appeal in question was interlocutory and did not strip the trial court of jurisdiction.
He maintained that there was no binding order from any higher court directing the suspension of proceedings.
Counsel for INEC said the commission would abide by the court’s decision, while confirming that it had already filed a counter-affidavit to the substantive suit.
The Attorney General of the Federation’s counsel did not take a position on the matter.
The court also considered multiple applications for joinder from individuals seeking to be added as defendants, including politicians and political aspirants who argued they would be affected by any order deregistering the parties.
Among them were a serving House of Representatives member and governorship aspirants who claimed their political ambitions depended on the affected parties.
However, the plaintiff opposed all joinder applications, arguing that the applicants were not necessary parties to the case and that no relief was sought directly against them.
After hearing all arguments, Justice Peter Lifu adjourned the matter to May 18, 2026, for ruling on the applications and further proceedings.
