Mr. Nkemakolam Ukandu, National Welfare Secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has requested that Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja recuse himself from the suit filed against the party’s leadership.
Ukandu filed a motion on notice on June 5, citing an ongoing petition before the National Judicial Council (NJC). The motion seeks either the withdrawal of Justice Lifu or the transfer of the case file back to the Chief Judge, pending the NJC’s determination of allegations of bias, corruption, and disobedience of Supreme Court orders in the matter.
The suit, initiated by Nafiu-Bala Gombe, challenges the leadership of ADC, led by Sen. David Mark, arguing that the emergence of Mark, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, and other National Working Committee members violates the party constitution and the Electoral Act. The case, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1819/2025, names ADC, Mark, Aregbesola, INEC, and Ralph Nwosu—the former ADC National Chairman—as defendants.
Ukandu’s motion, filed by his lawyer Kalu-Kalu Agu, also seeks to stay proceedings in Gombe’s case until the NJC petition and Ukandu’s suit against Justice Tsoho and Justice Lifu are determined. The motion is grounded on claims of corruption, abuse of judicial powers, disobedience to court orders, and judicial bias.
Previously, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, ADC National Secretary, had filed a similar motion requesting Justice Lifu’s recusal, emphasizing that the Constitution guarantees litigants a hearing before an impartial panel.
Justice Lifu had earlier ordered accelerated hearing in the matter, including Ukandu’s application to join the suit, and fixed Monday for the next hearing.
The case has drawn attention for its political implications within ADC, as it involves challenges to the leadership succession and adherence to the party’s constitutional provisions.
