BREAKING: Supreme Court restores David Mark-led ADC leadership

The Supreme Court has set aside an order directing the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to maintain the status quo ante bellum pending the resolution of its leadership crisis.

In a unanimous judgment delivered by a five-member panel led by Justice Mohammed Lawal Garba, the apex court held that the Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal exceeded its jurisdiction by issuing the order after it had already dismissed the appeal brought before it by one of the party’s factions.

The court described the directive as “unnecessary, unwarranted, and improper,” noting that such an order could not validly subsist after the substantive appeal had been struck out.

The Supreme Court further held that the appeal filed by Senator David Mark succeeded in part. However, it dismissed the portion challenging an ex parte order of the Federal High Court relating to the service of court processes in the suit instituted by aggrieved members of the party.

The apex court subsequently directed all parties to return to the trial court for the continuation of proceedings on the substantive matter.

It will be recalled that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had, on April 1, removed the names of David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola from its official portal as National Chairman and Secretary of the ADC, respectively, citing the Court of Appeal’s earlier ruling.

INEC had also stated that, in compliance with the order to maintain the status quo ante bellum, it would refrain from recognising any faction of the party pending the final determination of the dispute.