The Supreme Court on Thursday ordered the return of the leadership dispute rocking the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to the Federal High Court for determination on the merits.
In a unanimous decision delivered by Justice Mohammed Garuba, the apex court held that the anti-bellum order earlier granted by the lower court was “unnecessary, improper and unwarranted.” The court faulted the interim order issued in the course of the dispute, stressing that such a directive ought not to have been made in the circumstances of the case.
Justice Garuba, while delivering the lead judgment, held that the proper course was for the substantive issues surrounding the ADC leadership crisis to be fully heard and determined by the Federal High Court. The Supreme Court's ruling effectively nullifies the earlier interim order and directs the lower court to proceed with a comprehensive hearing on the matter.
The leadership tussle within the ADC has been a subject of legal contention, with various factions laying claim to the party's leadership. The Supreme Court's decision is expected to pave the way for a conclusive resolution of the dispute.
