Members of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) on Wednesday protested at the Federal High Court in Abuja over the delay in releasing the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the judgment that nullified the party’s National Working Committee led by former Senate President David Mark.
The protesters under the aegis of Forum of ADC Candidates in Nigeria, accused the presiding judge, Justice Peter Lifu, of withholding the November 5 judgment, saying the delay was preventing them from pursuing an appeal against the decision.
They called on the National Judicial Council (NJC) to intervene and ensure the immediate release of the document.
The demonstration followed a November 10 petition by the ADC candidates’ forum to the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho.
In the petition signed by Audu Aliyu, the candidates said their lawyers applied for the CTC immediately after the judgment was delivered and paid the required fees. However, they alleged that repeated visits to the court registry over five days had yielded no result.
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The group warned that further delays could undermine its right to appeal, particularly if the electoral timetable expired before the document became available.
The November 5 judgment nullified Mark’s emergence as ADC national chairman and invalidated decisions taken under his leadership, including the process that produced former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar as the party’s 2027 presidential candidate.
Justice Lifu also directed the Independent National Electoral Commission not to recognise decisions taken at the party’s July 27, 2025, National Executive Committee meeting.
The ADC filed a notice of appeal on November 6 and sought a stay of execution, asking INEC not to take steps that could prejudice the appeal.