ADC Members Shut Down Federal High Court in Abuja, Demand Release of Judgment Against David Mark-Led Leadership

Activities at the Federal High Court in Abuja were disrupted on Wednesday as angry members of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) protested the court registry’s alleged refusal to release the Certified True Copy (CTC) of a judgment affecting the party’s leadership.

The protesters, operating under the Forum of ADC Candidates, blocked the entrance to the court premises, displaying placards and chanting slogans as security operatives watched from a distance.

Some of the placards read, “Give Us The CTC Of Justice Lifu Judgment Now” and “Democracy Dies Not By Coup, But By Registry Delay.”

The demonstrators were also heard chanting, “Tinubu and Justice Lifu must go,” as they marched around the court premises.

The protest followed a November 5, 2026, judgment delivered by Justice Peter Lifu in a suit filed by Nafiu Bala Gombe against the ADC and others.

In the ruling, Justice Lifu reportedly declared the emergence of Senator David Mark as the party’s National Chairman illegal and nullified decisions taken by the Mark-led leadership.

The affected decisions included the list of candidates submitted by the party for the 2027 general elections and the primary election that produced former Vice President Atiku Abubakar as its presidential flagbearer.

Since the judgment was delivered, ADC candidates have reportedly been seeking the certified copy of the ruling to enable them to challenge it at the Court of Appeal. However, they alleged that the court registry had failed to release the document despite repeated visits and payment of the required fees.

Speaking during Wednesday’s protest, former Acting Chairman of the ADC in the Federal Capital Territory, Yusuf Shehu Tijani, described the judgment as a sham and accused Justice Lifu of delaying the release of the document to frustrate the party’s appeal.

“Justice Lifu is holding on to the sham judgment he said he passed. He should send the CTC, so that we can get it and appeal the judgment,” Tijani said.

He also questioned the ruling, claiming that the Supreme Court had already resolved the dispute over David Mark’s leadership in favour of the party.

Before the demonstration, the candidates had written to the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho, in a letter dated November 10, requesting his intervention.

They stated that their lawyer applied for the certified copy immediately after the judgment was delivered on November 5 and paid the necessary fees. However, they alleged that the document had remained unavailable five days later.

The candidates argued that the delay violated their constitutional right to appeal, citing Section 294(1) of the 1999 Constitution, which provides for access to copies of court decisions.

They warned that withholding the judgment until the election timetable expires could prevent them from exercising their right to challenge the ruling.

Consequently, they asked the Chief Judge to direct the court registrar to release the certified copy within 24 hours, no later than Wednesday, November 11.

The protesters also called on the National Judicial Council (NJC) to intervene in the matter. They further disclosed plans to submit copies of their petition to the United States Embassy and the United Nations in a bid to seek international intervention.