Court of Appeal has granted a stay of execution on a Federal High Court ruling that ordered the deregistration of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and four other political parties.
In a sharp rebuke delivered on Tuesday, the appellate court condemned the trial judge, Justice Peter Lifu, for what it termed “judicial rascality” after he delivered the deregistration judgment in defiance of a subsisting order to halt proceedings.
A three-member panel led by Justice A.B. Mohammed ruled that Justice Lifu acted in “flagrant disregard” of the Court of Appeal’s May 22 order staying further action in the suit pending appeal.
“Courts are enjoined to protect their integrity. This Court has supervisory authority over the trial court. The decision of the lower court to proceed with the judgment despite the express order of this court is a brazen violation of the hierarchy of the court and the 1999 Constitution,” the panel stated.
The appellate court described the lower court’s action as “the highest form of judicial impertinence” and invoked its powers to stay enforcement of the judgment.
The Federal High Court had directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deregister the ADC, Action Peoples Party (APP), Action Alliance (AA), Accord Party (AP) and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), citing failure to meet constitutional requirements.
Justice Lifu also barred the parties from participating in future elections, including the 2027 polls. The ruling came despite an earlier stay granted by the Court of Appeal on May 22 in Appeal No: CA/ABJ/CV/569/2026.
The development is seen as a temporary reprieve for the affected opposition parties amid ongoing legal battles over their registration status. The appeal is scheduled for hearing on October 27.
