Supreme Court voids Appeal Court order, reinstates David Mark-led ADC leadership

The Supreme Court has nullified an earlier directive that compelled the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to maintain the status quo amid its ongoing leadership crisis.

In a unanimous judgment delivered by a five-member panel led by Justice Mohammed Lawal Garba, the apex court ruled that the Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal exceeded its jurisdiction by issuing the order after it had already dismissed the appeal brought before it by one of the party’s factions.

The court described the directive as “unnecessary, unwarranted and improper,” noting that such an order could not validly stand once the substantive appeal had been struck out.

The Supreme Court held that the appeal filed by David Mark succeeded in part. However, it dismissed the aspect challenging an ex parte order issued by the Federal High Court regarding service of court processes in the suit instituted by aggrieved members of the party.

Consequently, the apex court directed all parties to return to the trial court for continuation of proceedings on the matter.

The ruling comes against the backdrop of a decision by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), which, on April 1, removed the names of Mark and Rauf Aregbesola from its official portal as National Chairman and Secretary of the ADC, respectively. The commission had cited the Appeal Court’s order and maintained that it would not recognise any faction of the party pending the resolution of the dispute.