The Supreme Court has set aside the status quo ante bellum order previously granted by the Court of Appeal in Abuja in the ongoing leadership dispute within the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
The ruling effectively restores the executive committee led by Senator David Mark, reversing its delisting by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Delivering a unanimous judgment on Thursday, a five-member panel chaired by Justice Mohammed Lawal Garba held that the Court of Appeal’s order was unwarranted.
ADVERTISEMENT
The apex court also found that the appeal challenging jurisdiction had been improperly filed—it was based on an ex parte order inviting parties to show cause, without first obtaining the requisite leave of the appellate court.