The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has accused unnamed agents of the Federal Government of attempting to influence the judiciary in the ongoing leadership dispute involving Nafiu Bala.
In a statement issued on Friday, May 8, and signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the party alleged that efforts were being made to have the judge handling the case reassigned.
The dispute stems from a leadership tussle within the ADC involving Nafiu Bala Gombe, which is currently before the Federal High Court.
However, the case has been subject to appeals and counter-applications, with higher courts, including the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court, reportedly directing an accelerated hearing to ensure speedy resolution.
Tensions have risen following a recent request linked to Bala seeking the reassignment of the case to a different judge, a move the ADC says raises concerns about attempts to influence the direction of proceedings.
The ADC said the development confirmed what it described as fears of a “sinister plot” to interfere with judicial proceedings, alleging that a federal minister was behind the alleged scheme.
“Having received the letter written by Bala requesting the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court to reassign the case to another judge, it has now been proven beyond all reasonable doubt that the sinister plot allegedly led by a notorious federal minister is indeed afoot,” the statement read.
The party insisted that the situation was no longer about justice or the merits of the case, but what it called political desperation aimed at influencing the outcome of the trial.
According to the ADC, the attempt to change judges amounted to an abuse of court processes and an effort to “shop” for a favourable judge.
“With this development, it is now obvious that Nafiu Bala Gombe and his handlers are trying to turn the judiciary into a shopping mall where you pick and choose judges suitable for your political schemes,” it said.
The party stressed that no litigant has the right to determine which judge hears a case, adding that such actions undermine the integrity of the judicial system.
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“You cannot file a case and then begin to dictate which judge should hear it simply because proceedings are not going your way. No litigant has the right to choose a judge in his own matter,” the statement added.
The ADC also expressed concern over what it described as attempts to delay proceedings despite directives from higher courts for an accelerated hearing.
It argued that efforts to seek indefinite adjournments, despite orders from the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court for a speedy trial, raised questions about compliance with judicial authority.
“The attempt to seek an indefinite adjournment after the clear direction of the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court for a speedy trial, in fact, raises serious questions about the willingness of the lower courts to obey express orders from superior courts,” it said.
The party further alleged that the aim of the delay was to frustrate the case until a favourable judicial environment could be secured.
Instead of allowing the matter to proceed, the ADC claimed Bala and his associates were trying to stall proceedings in order to influence the outcome.
It warned that such actions contribute to public distrust in the judiciary and called for an end to what it described as interference in court processes.
“We regret to say that this is exactly the kind of political interference and behind-the-scenes manipulation that has brought the judiciary into disrepute,” it stated.
Reaffirming its position, the ADC said it remained committed to the rule of law but cautioned against what it called “judicial intimidation” and “forum shopping.”
The party added that the independence of the judiciary must be protected, insisting that judges must be allowed to carry out their duties without political pressure or interference.