The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has demanded the
immediate release of the certified true copy of the judgement delivered by
Peter Lifu, a judge of the federal high court in Abuja, over the party’s
leadership dispute.
Lifu had on Thursday, November 5, sacked the David Mark-led
caretaker committee of the ADC and invalidated its decisions, including the
process that produced Atiku Abubakar as the party’s presidential candidate.
In a statement on Monday, Phrank Shaibu, director of
strategic communication of the ADC presidential campaign council, said the
party’s lawyers had applied for the certified copy and paid the required fees
but were yet to receive it.
Shaibu said counsel to the first defendant filed a formal
application on Friday, while counsel to the third defendant submitted one a day
earlier, on the day the judgement was delivered.
He said both applications bore the court’s “PAID” stamp,
adding that all requirements had been met.
“The ADC demands the immediate release of Justice Peter
Lifu’s judgment. He declared in open court that copies were ready. Our counsel
applied for the certified copy and paid the required fee, yet the judgment
remains out of reach,” the statement reads.
“This is an indefensible denial of access to a ruling that
directly affects the party and its members. If the judgment was ready, there is
no excuse for keeping it from the parties.”
The ADC campaign council spokesperson said withholding the
certified copy prevents the affected parties from knowing the exact orders made
by the court and responding through the appropriate legal channels.
He also called on the federal high court to explain the
delay in processing despite payment of the required fees.
He added that the party had formally objected to Lifu
presiding over the case, with its national secretary, Rauf Aregbesola, raising
concerns about the judge’s impartiality.
According to Shaibu, Aregbesola cited previous appellate
decisions which, in the party’s view, raised questions about the judge’s
competence and neutrality.
Shaibu also questioned the timing of the judgement, saying
it was delivered days after the party launched its campaign in Sokoto.
“The public is entitled to ask whether this was a judicial
process—or a calculated attempt to deliver a political blow while denying the
party the document needed to challenge it,” he said.
He said the opposition party would pursue all lawful
remedies and approach relevant authorities over what it described as an attempt
to obstruct its right to challenge the ruling.
“The ADC will not be intimidated or denied its right to
challenge this ruling. Any attempt to obstruct that right will be met with
every lawful action available,” he said.
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