ADC says it paid for the certified judgment and the court still won’t release it

Photo: Atiku Abubakar · Source: Nigeria Currently (Nov 2025 file photo)

The ADC says Justice Lifu declared copies of the 5 Nov judgment ready, yet the certified copy it paid for still has not been released — and INEC cannot decide Atiku’s fate without it.

The African Democratic Congress said on Monday that the certified true copy of the 5 November Federal High Court judgment remains inaccessible despite formal applications and payment, calling it “a denial of access to justice” and demanding a public explanation.

The ADC said Justice Peter Lifu declared in open court that copies of the judgment were ready — yet counsel for the first defendant applied on 6 Nov and counsel for the third defendant on 5 Nov, both bearing the Federal High Court’s “PAID” stamp, and the certified copy still has not been released. The party says it will pursue every lawful remedy.

The ADC also restated its objection to Justice Lifu presiding, citing concerns about impartiality raised by National Secretary Rauf Aregbesola. INEC has said it cannot take a position until it sees the certified true copy; no stay of execution has been confirmed granted.

The judgment (Justice Lifu, 5 Nov, suit FHC/ABJ/CS/1819/2025, filed by Nafiu Gombe) nullified the Mark-led leadership and invalidated decisions taken by the faction, including the presidential primary that produced Atiku on 27 May 2026. The Mark-led faction has appealed and applied for a stay of execution. Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo said on Sunday the ADC would be on the 2027 ballot but candidates of the Mark faction — including Atiku — might be excluded, depending on the Supreme Court.

← Back to homepage  ·  Archive