The federal high court in Abuja will hear on May 8 the suit filed by Nafiu Bala against David Mark's leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC). Justice Emeka Nwite set the date after receiving an application letter from Bala's legal team, dated May 5, requesting an accelerated hearing following the Supreme Court's dismissal of Mark's interlocutory appeal on April 30, 2026. The letter, signed by senior advocates of Nigeria Robert Emukpoeruo, Lukman O. Fagbemi, and Lukas Musa Haruna, stated they continue to represent Bala in the case pending before Justice Nwite at Court No. 8. Enclosed with the letter was the judgment of the Court of Appeal, which had previously ordered the accelerated hearing of the matter.
Bala, former vice-chairman of the ADC, filed the suit on September 2, 2025, at the federal high court in Abuja under Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1819/2025. He is challenging the legitimacy of David Mark and his faction's claim to leadership of the party. The legal dispute centers on which faction holds valid authority within the ADC, with Bala contesting Mark's group's right to operate as the official leadership. The Supreme Court's decision to dismiss Mark's appeal clears the way for the substantive hearing of Bala's claims. The court's next step is to determine the validity of the leadership contest and whether Mark's faction can continue to represent the party.
The timing of Bala's push for a hearing—days after the Supreme Court rejected Mark's appeal—suggests a strategic effort to capitalize on judicial momentum. With the Court of Appeal already mandating an accelerated hearing, delays could be seen as obstruction. The outcome may hinge on how strictly the court interprets prior rulings on party leadership disputes. This case exposes the fragility of internal party governance when factions rely more on court dates than membership support.
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