By Onoja Baba, Nigeria
The Supreme Court has vacated the Court of Appeal’s ruling that directed parties in the leadership crisis rocking the African Democratic Party (ADC) to maintain the status quo ante bellum.
The apex court’s decision overturns the directive issued by the Court of Appeal, which had ordered that the situation before the filing of the suit be restored pending the final resolution of the matter.
The leadership tussle in the ADC pits former Senate President David Mark against Nafiu Gombe, who filed a suit at the Federal High Court in Abuja seeking to determine the authentic leadership of the party.
A three-member panel of the Court of Appeal had earlier dismissed David Mark’s appeal challenging the jurisdiction of Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court to hear the case.
The appellate court described Mark’s appeal as premature and filed without the required leave of the trial court.
The Court of Appeal subsequently ordered that the matter be returned to the trial judge for expeditious hearing, while directing all parties to maintain the status quo ante bellum.
Following that order, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) withdrew recognition from the Mark-led leadership of the ADC pending the court’s final determination of the authentic leadership.
Dissatisfied with the appellate court’s decision, David Mark approached the Supreme Court to challenge both the ruling and the order for maintenance of status quo ante bellum.
The Supreme Court’s latest intervention vacating the status quo order is expected to significantly alter the dynamics of the ongoing legal battle over control of the African Democratic Party.
The case will now proceed at the Federal High Court without the restrictive
status quo directive.
categories
recent posts
NIGERIA: Sowore Defends Himself In Court, Seeks Judge’s Recusal In Cybercrime Trial
