2027: ADC accuses Federal High Court of withholding David Mark sack judgment

The African Democratic Congress, ADC, has demanded the rapid launch of the judgment delivered by Justice Peter Lifu, insisting that the continued withholding of the licensed true copy, CTC, regardless of fee of the required charges, quantities to a denial of entry to justice.

In an announcement on Monday, the opposition occasion mentioned Justice Peter Lifu had declared in open court docket that copies of the judgment had been prepared.

However, regardless of formal functions by its counsel and fee of the prescribed charges, the occasion mentioned the licensed judgment stays inaccessible.

“Our counsel for the first defendant filed a formal application for the certified true copy on 6 November 2026 and paid the assessed fee. Counsel for the third defendant had applied a day earlier, on the very day the judgment was delivered. Both applications bear the Federal High Court’s ‘PAID’ stamp. All requirements were therefore met, yet the applicants are still being denied access to the judgment.

“The judgment concerns the leadership of a major political party and the rights of its members. Withholding its certified copy prevents the affected parties from knowing the exact orders made and responding fully through the courts. If the ruling is sound, there is no justification for keeping it out of reach.

“The Federal High Court must release the judgment immediately and explain why the paid applications have gone unanswered. Public confidence cannot survive a process in which consequential judgments are announced but their official records are denied to the parties.

“The ADC formally objected to Justice Lifu presiding over the matter. National Secretary Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola raised serious concerns about the judge’s impartiality, citing previous appellate decisions that, in the party’s view, called his competence and neutrality into question. Those concerns were formally placed on record. The unexplained withholding of the judgment has now compounded them and demands answers.

“The timing and conduct of this process are indefensible.

“Justice Lifu delivered the judgment days after the ADC launched its Sokoto campaign. He subsequently declared that copies were ready, yet the parties’ paid applications remain unanswered.

“We demand the immediate release of the certified judgment and a public explanation for the delay. Every day it is withheld deepens the damage to public confidence in the judiciary. Those responsible must understand that the ADC will pursue every lawful remedy, present the full record to the appropriate authorities and ensure that Nigerians know what has happened.

“No party, public official or judicial officer is beyond scrutiny when the rights of citizens and the integrity of the electoral process are at stake.

“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, and those responsible will be held accountable through the proper legal and institutional channels.

“Justice must be done, its record must be accessible, and the consequences of denying the parties that access must not be evaded,” the ADC acknowledged.

Recall that the Federal High Court sacked the ADC executives led by former Senate President, David Mark.

The judgment has thrown the opposition occasion right into a recent disaster.

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, final week mentioned it was awaiting the licensed true copy of the judgment earlier than making a call on Atiku’s candidacy.