A civil society organisation, TAP Initiative for Citizens’ Development, has petitioned the National Judicial Council (NJC) to investigate Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court, Abuja, over his ruling ordering the deregistration of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and four other political parties.
In the petition dated June 16, 2026, and addressed to the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, the group accused the judge of disregarding a subsisting Court of Appeal order and pending appellate proceedings when he delivered the judgment.
The judgment affected the ADC, Accord Party, Action Peoples Party (APP), Action Alliance (AA), and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP).
The CSO expressed grave concern that the ruling was delivered despite an ongoing appeal (Appeal No. CA/ABJ/CV/569/2026) and an enrolment order issued by the Court of Appeal staying proceedings in the suit (Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/2637/2025).
The organisation described the development as raising “profound constitutional and procedural concerns” and a potential affront to the doctrine of judicial hierarchy and the supervisory jurisdiction of the appellate court.
It warned that such actions could lead to conflicting judicial outcomes and erode public confidence in the judiciary.
The petition further urged the NJC to determine whether Justice Lifu’s conduct breached the Code of Conduct for Judicial Officers, particularly on issues of integrity, due process, fairness, and public confidence.
The group also highlighted the broader implications of the judgment on Nigeria’s democracy, noting that it could heighten political tension, destabilise the democratic space, and limit political competition ahead of the 2026 off-cycle governorship elections and the 2027 general elections.
Meanwhile, the Court of Appeal in Abuja has suspended the execution of the Federal High Court judgment.
In a unanimous decision on Tuesday, a three-member panel led by Justice Abba Mohammed strongly criticised the lower court for proceeding with the case despite a pending appeal and a valid stay order, describing it as “the highest form of judicial impertinence.”
The appellate court ordered that the status quo be maintained pending the determination of the appeal.
This latest development adds to the controversy surrounding attempts to deregister certain political parties by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
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