Court gavel
The Court of Appeal has ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to suspend the implementation of a Federal High Court judgment that directed the deregistration of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Accord, and three other political parties.
The appellate court’s decision, delivered on Tuesday by a unanimous three-member panel, effectively places a hold on the execution of the lower court’s ruling pending the determination of issues brought before it.
In its judgment, the Court of Appeal faulted the Federal High Court for proceeding to deliver a substantive ruling in a matter where it had earlier ordered a stay of proceedings. The appellate court held that the action ran contrary to established principles governing judicial hierarchy and precedent.
The appeal arose from an interlocutory application filed by Accord Party, which challenged the Federal High Court’s April 27 decision refusing its request to be joined in the deregistration suit instituted by the Incorporated Trustees of the National Forum of Former Legislators.
During proceedings at the appellate court, counsel representing the respondents reportedly urged the court to invoke its disciplinary powers against the trial judge over the handling of the case.
The affected political parties had expressed concern over the implications of the deregistration order, warning that it could undermine their participation in upcoming elections.
According to the parties, the judgment threatened their involvement in by-elections scheduled for June 20 across several senatorial and federal constituencies in six states, as well as the forthcoming off-cycle governorship election in Ekiti State.
With the latest ruling, INEC is expected to maintain the existing status of the affected parties until the legal issues surrounding the case are fully resolved by the courts.
