2027: ADC accuses Federal High Court of withholding David Mark sack judgment

The African Democratic Congress, ADC, has demanded the immediate release of the judgment delivered by Justice Peter Lifu, insisting that the continued withholding of the certified true copy, CTC, despite payment of the required fees, amounts to a denial of access to justice.

In a statement on Monday, the opposition party said Justice Peter Lifu had declared in open court that copies of the judgment were ready.

However, despite formal applications by its counsel and payment of the prescribed fees, the party said the certified judgment remains inaccessible.

“Our counsel for the first defendant filed a formal application for the certified true copy on 6 November 2026 and paid the assessed fee. Counsel for the third defendant had applied a day earlier, on the very day the judgment was delivered. Both applications bear the Federal High Court’s ‘PAID’ stamp. All requirements were therefore met, yet the applicants are still being denied access to the judgment.

“This is not a routine administrative delay. It is a denial of access to a court decision that directly affects the rights of the parties. Justice Lifu declared that the judgment was ready; the applicants paid for its certified copy, and the court acknowledged receipt of payment.

“Why, then, are they still being kept in the dark? A judge cannot announce that a judgment is ready and leave litigants chasing the document they need to understand and challenge the decision.

“The judgment concerns the leadership of a major political party and the rights of its members. Withholding its certified copy prevents the affected parties from knowing the exact orders made and responding fully through the courts. If the ruling is sound, there is no justification for keeping it out of reach.

“The Federal High Court must release the judgment immediately and explain why the paid applications have gone unanswered. Public confidence cannot survive a process in which consequential judgments are announced but their official records are denied to the parties.

“The ADC formally objected to Justice Lifu presiding over the matter. National Secretary Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola raised serious concerns about the judge’s impartiality, citing previous appellate decisions that, in the party’s view, called his competence and neutrality into question. Those concerns were formally placed on record. The unexplained withholding of the judgment has now compounded them and demands answers.

“The timing and conduct of this process are indefensible.

“Justice Lifu delivered the judgment days after the ADC launched its Sokoto campaign. He subsequently declared that copies were ready, yet the parties’ paid applications remain unanswered.

“We demand the immediate release of the certified judgment and a public explanation for the delay. Every day it is withheld deepens the damage to public confidence in the judiciary. Those responsible must understand that the ADC will pursue every lawful remedy, present the full record to the appropriate authorities and ensure that Nigerians know what has happened.

“No party, public official or judicial officer is beyond scrutiny when the rights of citizens and the integrity of the electoral process are at stake.

“The ADC will not be intimidated or denied its right to challenge this ruling. Any attempt to obstruct that right will be met with every lawful action available, and those responsible will be held accountable through the proper legal and institutional channels.

“Justice must be done, its record must be accessible, and the consequences of denying the parties that access must not be evaded,” the ADC stated.

Recall that the Federal High Court sacked the ADC executives led by former Senate President, David Mark.

The judgment has thrown the opposition party into a fresh crisis.

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, last week said it was awaiting the certified true copy of the judgment before making a decision on Atiku’s candidacy.