The Supreme Court has set aside an earlier directive that asked the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to maintain the status quo ante bellum while its leadership dispute is being resolved.
In a unanimous ruling delivered by a five-member panel led by Justice Mohammed Lawal Garba, the apex court faulted the Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal for overstepping its authority.
It held that the appellate court erred by issuing such an order after it had already dismissed the case brought before it by one of the party’s factions.
The Supreme Court described the order as unnecessary, unwarranted, and improper, stressing that it should not have been made after the appeal had been dismissed.
The court further ruled that the appeal filed by Senator David Mark was partly successful.
However, it rejected the portion of the appeal that contested an ex parte order issued by the Federal High Court regarding the service of court documents in the case initiated by aggrieved party members.
It subsequently directed all parties involved to return to the trial court for the continuation of proceedings.
Earlier, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had, on April 1, removed the names of David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola from its official portal as the ADC’s National Chairman and Secretary.
The commission cited the Court of Appeal’s ruling and stated that it would not recognise any faction of the party until the dispute is fully resolved.