Court Disowns Report Claiming It Ordered NDC Deregistration

• The Kogi State High Court says it never heard or ruled on any case seeking the registration or deregistration of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).
• The court described viral reports linking it to the alleged deregistration as false and warned against spreading unverified information.
• The clarification comes as the NDC insists it remains a legally recognised political party while challenging an earlier Federal High Court ruling on appeal.

The High Court of Justice in Kogi State has dismissed reports claiming it ordered the deregistration of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), describing the allegation as false and misleading.

In a statement issued on Thursday, the court’s Chief Information Officer, Saqeeb Saeed, clarified that the Kogi State High Court had never handled any matter relating to the registration or deregistration of any political party, including the NDC.

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According to the statement, the viral social media report alleging that the court ordered the party’s deregistration did not originate from the Kogi State High Court.

“The High Court of Justice of Kogi State did not handle any matter relating to the registration or deregistration of any political party in the country, and particularly the party in question, nor any other matter concerning the political party,” the statement read.

The court also expressed concern over the use of photographs of the Chief Judge of Kogi State, Justice Josiah Joe Majebi, and former Governor Yahaya Bello in the viral publication, saying the images appeared intended to create the false impression that the alleged ruling emanated from the state’s judiciary.

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While noting that it does not ordinarily respond to misinformation circulating on social media, the court said the inclusion of the Chief Judge’s photograph made it necessary to issue a clarification to protect the integrity of the judiciary.

It warned content creators and social media users against publishing unverified reports capable of misleading the public or eroding confidence in the judicial system.

“The integrity and dignity of judges, as well as the institution of the High Court of Justice of Kogi State and other courts under its supervision, should not be subjected to false and misleading narratives.

“We urge the public to disregard the viral report and reaffirm the court’s commitment to the fair and impartial administration of justice without fear or favour,” the statement added.

The clarification follows recent legal proceedings involving the NDC.

In June, the Federal High Court in Lokoja set aside its earlier judgment directing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to register the party, ruling that the original suit was procedurally defective because necessary parties were not joined.

Following that decision, the NDC maintained that the court did not order its deregistration, adding that it had filed an appeal and an application for a stay of execution.

The party also insisted that it remains a legally recognised political party pending the determination of the appeal.