ADC members protest at Federal High Court over delayed judgment transcript

ABUJA — Members of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) staged a demonstration outside the Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday, demanding the immediate release of the Certified True Copy (CTC) of a court ruling that nullified the party’s national executive leadership.

The protesters accused the presiding judge, Justice Peter Lifu, of withholding the official transcript of the 5 November judgment despite formal applications and paid processing fees, alleging the administrative delay is designed to block their right of appeal.

Following the courthouse demonstration, party members extended their action to diplomatic missions across Abuja, submitting formal petitions to the United Nations headquarters as well as the embassies of the European Union, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

Speaking during the demonstration, former FCT acting chairman of the ADC, Yusuf Shehu Tijani, called on the National Judicial Council (NJC) to intervene and order the immediate release of the documents.

“Our reason for coming here today is what Justice Lifu is doing. He is holding on to the judgment he passed,” Tijani told reporters. “Give us the Certified True Copy so that we can appeal… justice must prevail in Nigeria.”

Concerns over appeal timelines and opposition rights

The public protest follows a petition delivered on 10 November to the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho, signed by ADC candidates’ representative Audu Aliyu.

The petition warned that administrative delays at the court registry risk frustrating constitutional appeal deadlines under Sections 241 and 242 of the 1999 Constitution:

• Appellate Denial: Party representatives argued that withholding the judgment transcript effectively prevents the David Mark-led executive from filing a comprehensive appeal before appellate windows expire.
• Diplomatic Strategy: The petitions delivered to foreign missions urged international monitoring of Nigeria’s judicial processes ahead of the 2027 general elections, emphasizing that “democracy dies not by coup, but by registry delay.”
• Systemic Impact: The disputed 5 November ruling nullified the leadership structure led by former Senate President David Mark and former Interior Minister Rauf Aregbesola, while invalidating party decisions including the nomination of former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar as its 2027 presidential candidate.

ADC legal representatives confirmed that while an initial notice of appeal and an application for a stay of execution were lodged on 6 November, full appellate filings require the official certified transcript.

The party has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to refrain from executing the High Court order pending the determination of the appeal.