Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday proceeded to deliver judgment in a suit seeking the deregistration of five political parties, despite an earlier directive by the Court of Appeal ordering a stay of proceedings pending the determination of an appeal.
The appellate court had, on May 22, 2026, directed Justice Lifu not to continue with the case involving the deregistration of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Accord Party and three other political parties until an interlocutory appeal filed by Accord Party was resolved.
In a unanimous decision, a three-member panel of the Court of Appeal comprising Justices Mohammed Danjuma, Adebukola Banjoko and Oyejoju Oyewumi ordered the trial court to suspend further action on the matter pending the determination of the appeal.
According to a Certified True Copy of the enrolled order, the appellate court instructed the Federal High Court to stay proceedings until all issues raised in the appeal by Accord Party had been fully addressed.
The appeal stemmed from an application by Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, who sought to be joined as a defendant in the suit filed by a group of former lawmakers challenging the continued registration of the affected parties.
Adeleke argued that he had a direct interest in the matter because Accord Party was the platform on which he intended to contest the August 15 governorship election in Osun State.
However, Justice Lifu, in a ruling delivered on April 27, dismissed the governor’s application, refusing to join him as a party in the case.
Dissatisfied with the decision, Adeleke, through his counsel, Musibau Adetunbi (SAN), approached the Court of Appeal to challenge the ruling.
After hearing arguments, particularly the claim that the governor had interests to protect as Accord Party’s governorship candidate, the appellate court directed the lower court to refrain from taking further steps in the matter. The appeal was subsequently fixed for hearing on October 27.
Despite being served with the notice of appeal and the enrolled order, Justice Lifu reportedly declined to halt proceedings, describing the move as an attempt to frustrate or delay the delivery of judgment.
Although the court had earlier adjourned judgment indefinitely, Justice Lifu on Monday made a dramatic turnaround and delivered judgment in the matter, ordering the deregistration of the five political parties at the centre of the legal dispute.
