\n\nThe Court of Appeal in Abuja has stayed the execution of a Federal High Court judgment that ordered the deregistration of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and four other political parties.
In a unanimous ruling, the appellate court criticised Justice Peter Lifu for delivering the judgment despite an earlier Court of Appeal order directing him to halt proceedings. The court described his action as a violation of judicial hierarchy and constitutional provisions, calling it a serious act of judicial misconduct.
The affected parties include the ADC, Action Peoples Party (APP), Action Alliance (AA), Accord Party, and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP).
ADC National Chairman, Senator David Mark, warned against political interference in the judiciary, while party officials welcomed the ruling as a step toward restoring confidence in the justice system.
INEC also informed the court that it only learned of the deregistration judgment through media reports and did not oppose the application to stay its execution.
The Court of Appeal subsequently ordered an immediate suspension of the judgment, ensuring that the affected political parties remain legally recognised pending the determination of the appeal.
