A Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed June 16, 2026, to rule on applications seeking the withdrawal of Justice Peter Lifu from a suit challenging the leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
The ruling date was fixed this Monday after parties in the suit argued motions for and against the request for the judge to recuse himself from the case.
Counsel to the ADC, Shaibu Aruwa, and counsel to former Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola urged the court to withdraw from the matter and return the case file to the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court for reassignment.
Counsel to the plaintiff, Nafiu-Bala Gombe, however opposed the applications, arguing that there was no evidence of bias to justify the judge’s withdrawal from the case.
Justice Lifu also declined to entertain a separate recusal application filed by a lawyer representing an ADC official seeking to join the suit, holding that the applicant was not yet a party to the case.
Gombe, a former ADC National Deputy Chairman, is challenging the emergence of former Senate President David Mark, Aregbesola and members of the party’s interim leadership, alleging that their appointments violated the ADC constitution and the Electoral Act.
It would be recalled that following the Supreme Court directive that the matter should be given accelerated hearing and the judge had earlier directed all parties involved to file and exchange their legal processes ahead of today’s hearing, two senior ADC chieftains had separately filed motions asking Justice Lifu to recuse himself and withdraw from the matter.
The party leaders reportedly accused the judge of bias and corruption and also threatened petitions against him before the National Judicial Council, NJC.