Abuja court adjourns ADC leadership suit to June 8 after procedural issues and joinder delays in case involving Nafiu-Bala Gombe
The Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, adjourned a high-profile ADC leadership suit involving Mr Nafiu-Bala Gombe and the David Mark-led executives of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, following procedural delays linked to parties seeking to join the case.
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Justice Peter Lifu adjourned the matter until June 8, 2026, after counsel to the plaintiff, Robert Emukpoeruo, SAN, requested a short adjournment due to the absence of legal representatives for some parties seeking joinder in the ADC leadership suit adjournment Abuja court proceedings.
When the case was called, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, and the parties applying to join the matter were absent in court, although records confirmed that INEC had been duly served with hearing notice.
Counsel to the ADC, Shaibu Aruwa, SAN, urged the court to ensure that the joinder applicants were given a fair opportunity to present their case, noting that their involvement had featured in earlier proceedings before a previous judge.
He argued that the issues around joinder had already been joined in earlier filings and that all parties were aware of the ongoing litigation.
Responding, Emukpoeruo referenced earlier appellate and Supreme Court directives for accelerated hearing and requested that all pending processes be properly filed and served before proceedings continue.
Senior lawyers representing key figures in the case, including Sen. David Mark, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, and Chief Ralp Nwosu, did not oppose the request for adjournment.
However, defence counsel raised concerns that repeated applications by the plaintiff had allegedly contributed to delays, despite earlier orders for expedited hearing from higher courts.
Justice Lifu stressed that no party has the right to determine the court that hears their case, adding that the matter had been assigned by the Chief Judge in line with judicial procedure and must proceed accordingly.
The judge further noted that the court would assume responsibility for the delay in serving hearing notices on the joinder applicants and ordered the court bailiff to serve all relevant parties within 24 hours.
He reaffirmed that the case remains subject to accelerated hearing as directed by both the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court, describing the matter as one that must be handled strictly in the interest of justice.
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Justice Lifu also ordered all parties to file and serve their processes before the next adjourned date to ensure a smooth hearing on June 8.
