The Court of Appeal on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, suspended the execution of the judgement of a Federal High Court presided over by Justice Peter Lifu in which he ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deregister the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and four other opposition political parties.
A three-member panel of the appellate Court led by Justice A.B. Mohammed, in a unanimous decision berated Justice Lifu for flouting an order it made on May 22, which directed Justice Lifu to suspend the proceedings before him.
The Appeal Court Justices described Justice Lifu’s ruling despite a valid order of the appellate court as a “brazen disregard for the higher court and judicial impertinence”.
The appellate court held that Justice Lifu’s action amounted to an affront on the hierarchy of courts.
It held that Justice Lifu’s action was “the highest form of judicial impertinence,” stressing that the Supreme Court previously held that a judge who acted in such manner “is unfit for the bench as it amounts to judicial rascality”.
The Appeal Court said; “Courts are enjoined to protect their integrity. This Court has supervisory authority over the trial court.
“The decision of the lower court to proceed with the judgment despite the express order of this court is a brazen violation of the hierarchy of the court and the 1999 Constitution.
“This court has the duty to invoke its powers in ensuring that its orders are made. The application for stay of execution is here yet granted.
“The enforcement of the judgment is stayed,” the Appeal Court held.
The appellate court had on May 22, 2026, issued an order directing the Federal High Court presided over by Justice Lifu to stay all proceedings regarding the case instituted by members of Former Legislative Forum that sought to deregister the ADC, Accord, Action Alliance (AA), Action Peoples Party (APP) and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), pending the determination of the appeal scheduled for hearing on October 27, 2026.
However, the Federal High Court presided over by Justice Peter Lifu jettisoned the Court of Appeal order as it went ahead on Monday, June 15, 2026, to deliver a controversial judgement ordering INEC to immediately deregister the five parties.
The Federal High Court verdict came few hours after the ADC formally announced former Governor of Rivers State and Minister of Transportation as the Party’s 2027 vice presidential candidate.
