The Supreme Court has scheduled April 22 to hear an appeal arising from the protracted leadership crisis within the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
The appeal was filed by the party’s National Chairman, former Senate President David Mark, who is challenging earlier court rulings in the dispute.
A five-member panel of the apex court, led by Justice Mohammed Garba, fixed the date on Tuesday after granting an accelerated hearing in the case, marked SC/CV/180/2026.
The appeal challenges the March 12 judgment of the Court of Appeal, which had dismissed Mark’s earlier appeal against a September 4, 2025, ruling by the Federal High Court in Abuja.
In that earlier ruling, Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court had declined to grant injunctive relief sought through an ex parte application filed by Nafiu Bala Gombe, a chieftain of the party.
During Tuesday’s proceedings, the Supreme Court directed Mark’s counsel, Jibril Okutepa, to file and serve the appellant’s brief within a short timeframe, consistent with the accelerated hearing. The court also ordered the respondents to file their briefs within three days of service. The appellant may file a reply within one day of receiving the respondents’ submissions, if necessary.
The dispute, which has spawned multiple litigations, centers on the control and leadership structure of the ADC. Rival factions are laying claim to the party’s leadership, particularly the position of National Chairman.