ADC demands immediate release of Justice Lifu’s judgment
ADC demands immediate release of Justice Lifu’s judgment
The African Democratic Congress has called on the Federal High Court to immediately release the certified true copy of a judgment delivered by Justice Peter Lifu, accusing the court of denying the party access to a ruling that affects its leadership and members.
In a press statement issued on Monday, November 9, 2026, by the Director of Strategic Communication of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council, Phrank Shaibu, the party said its counsel applied for the certified copy and paid the required fee, but the document has not been released.
“He declared in open court that copies were ready. Our counsel applied for the certified copy and paid the required fee, yet the judgment remains out of reach,” the statement said. “This is an indefensible denial of access to a ruling that directly affects the party and its members. If the judgment was ready, there is no excuse for keeping it from the parties. Release it now.”
According to the statement, counsel for the first defendant filed a formal application for the certified true copy on November 6, 2026, and paid the assessed fee. Counsel for the third defendant applied a day earlier, on the day the judgment was delivered. The party said both applications carry the Federal High Court’s “PAID” stamp.
“This is not a routine administrative delay. It is a denial of access to a court decision that directly affects the rights of the parties,” the statement said. “Justice Lifu declared the judgment ready; the applicants paid for its certified copy; the court has acknowledged payment. Why, then, are they still being kept in the dark?”
The party said the judgment concerns the leadership of a major political party and the rights of its members. It argued that withholding the certified copy prevents the affected parties from knowing the exact orders made and responding fully through the courts.
The ADC also recalled its earlier formal objection to Justice Lifu presiding over the matter. It said its National Secretary, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, raised concerns about the judge’s impartiality, citing previous appellate decisions that the party believes called his competence and neutrality into question.
The statement further noted the timing of the judgment, which it said was delivered days after the ADC launched its campaign in Sokoto. “The public is entitled to ask whether this was a judicial process or a calculated attempt to deliver a political blow while denying the party the document needed to challenge it,” it said.
The ADC demanded a public explanation for the delay, warning that every day the judgment is withheld deepens the damage to public confidence in the judiciary. The party said it would pursue every lawful remedy and place the full record before the appropriate authorities.
“Any attempt to obstruct that right will be met with every lawful action available, and those responsible will be held to account through the proper legal and institutional channels,” the statement added.
The Federal High Court has not issued a public response to the ADC’s claims. The specific details of the judgment and the identities of the defendants were not disclosed in the statement.
