ADC Alleges Bias Over Reassignment of Party Leadership Case, Demands Full Judgment

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has accused Chief Justice John Tsoho of biased behavior regarding the reassignment of a case involving the party's leadership dispute. The ADC demands the immediate release of the full judgment and the reasons for the decision, so they can pursue legal action. In a statement, the ADC alleged that Justice Tsoho transferred the case to Justice Peter Lifu the very next day after receiving a formal protest from the ADC's National Secretary, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola.

The ADC stated that Justice Nwite, who had already started hearing the case, had not recused himself when the plaintiff requested the transfer. The party's lawyers had responded to the reassignment request on May 11, 2026, explaining previous delays, disputing the plaintiff's account, and calling the request "forum shopping." The ADC also questioned why Justice Tsoho proceeded with the transfer when he received the protest, and what he found in the plaintiff's allegation of delay that outweighed the court record and the protest.

The council expressed concern over Justice Lifu's prior handling of another case where he ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deregister the ADC and four other parties despite a Court of Appeal order staying proceedings. The council also referred to a judgment by Justice Musa Liman, who dismissed a challenge to the ADC leadership, stating that the internal party dispute was non-justiciable, declared the leadership handover lawful, and affirmed INEC's recognition of the party's National Chairman and Secretary.

The ADC claims that Justice Lifu, sitting in the same Federal High Court, cannot disregard those orders. The council urges both the National Judicial Council (NJC) to investigate the reassignment and Justice Lifu's conduct, and challenges the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to confront former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar politically instead of through court proceedings.