The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has initiated a legal action at a High Court in Abuja, naming the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho, as a defendant. This move stems from ongoing internal disagreements over the party’s leadership, with the ADC alleging judicial bias.
The lawsuit, submitted on June 4, 2026, was filed by Nkemakolam Ukandu, the party’s National Welfare Secretary. Ukandu seeks to intervene in an existing case (Suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/1819/2025) brought by Nafiu Bala Gombe against the faction led by former Senate President David Mark. The plaintiff argues that the handling of the matter by Justice Tsoho and the presiding judge, Justice Peter Lifu, undermines trust in the judicial process.
The ADC contends that the assignment of the case to Justice Lifu has raised doubts among party members about the likelihood of an impartial hearing. Additionally, the National Judicial Council (NJC) has been included in the suit, as the ADC claims the council failed to address complaints regarding the case’s management.
A civil society group, the Grassroots Mobilization Network (GMN), has echoed these concerns, alleging that the judiciary is being weaponized against opposition parties. GMN warned that such actions erode public confidence in the justice system and urged authorities to ensure fair treatment of politically sensitive cases.
As of now, neither the Federal High Court nor Justice Lifu has issued an official statement in response to the allegations. The NJC also remains silent on the matter. This legal development adds a new dimension to the ADC’s leadership crisis, which has drawn significant political attention ahead of the 2027 elections.