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The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has described the Federal High Court’s indefinite adjournment of its leadership dispute suit as a contradiction of the Supreme Court directives.
The party said the court’s action confirmed its fears of judicial manipulation and political interference in the leadership case involving Nafiu Bala-Gombe.
The party also questioned the move by the plaintiff’s lawyers seeking re-assignment of the suit challenging the David Mark-led National Working Committee (NWC) to another judge.
Justice Emeka Nwite had earlier on Friday adjourned the case indefinitely after hearing the arguments by lawyers from both parties
In a statement in Abuja, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, said the decision raised curiosity that a plaintiff seeking justice would resist speedy hearing.
Abdullahi said Bala-Gonbe’s request to transfer the case formed part of attempts to manipulate judicial processes and secure a preferred judge.
READ ALSO: Court adjourns suit on ADC leadership crisis Wike indefinitely
He also alleged that external forces were making frantic efforts to influence proceedings by changing the judge handling the matter.
“This is no longer about justice or the merit of the case, but about the desperation of political operatives confronted by the utter frivolity of their case.
“Bala and his handlers are re turning the judiciary into a shopping mall where judges are selected for political convenience,” he said.
Abdullahi insisted that no litigant had the right to dictate which judge should preside over a case because proceedings appeared unfavourable.
He argued that seeking indefinite adjournment after appellate courts had ordered a speedy trial raised concerns about obedience to superior judicial authorities.
“Instead of allowing the matter to proceed expeditiously, as any aggrieved plaintiff genuinely seeking justice would, Bala and his handlers are looking for ways to stall the case until they are able to find a judge willing to do their bidding and pervert the course of justice.
“We regret to say that this is exactly the kind of political interference and behind-the-scene manipulations that have brought the judiciary into disrepute,” the ADC spokesman stated
Abdullahi, however, reaffirmed the party’s commitment to the rule of law, insisting that judicial independence must prevail over intimidation, forum shopping and politically-motivated interference.
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