INEC: Demands Certified Copy of Federal High Court ADC Judgment

• INEC will not act on the Federal High Court judgment nullifying the ADC leadership until it receives a certified true copy.
• The judgment, delivered by Justice Peter Lifu on November 5, invalidated the Senator David Mark-led ADC leadership and decisions, including Atiku Abubakar's 2027 presidential candidacy.
• The ruling followed a suit filed by former Deputy National Chairman Nafiu Bala Gombe challenging the leadership's emergence.
• The African Democratic Congress has rejected the judgment, filed an appeal, and sought a stay of execution.
• INEC's internal process requires its legal department and a committee to review the certified judgment before the full Commission makes a decision.

This situation underscores the critical importance of an INEC certified copy ADC judgment for regulatory compliance.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has clarified its position regarding a recent Federal High Court judgment that nullified the leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC). The electoral body stated it would not implement any actions stemming from the ruling until it receives a certified true copy (CTC) of the judgment. This declaration was made by Mohammed Haruna, an INEC National Commissioner and the Chairman of its Information and Voter Education Committee, during a recent webinar hosted by the PUNCH Media Foundation.

Haruna emphasized that the Commission requires time to thoroughly examine the judgment and seek appropriate legal counsel before determining its subsequent steps. This procedural requirement highlights INEC's commitment to due process, ensuring that all decisions are based on official and verified court documents. The absence of the certified copy means that, for now, the status quo remains unchanged regarding the ADC's leadership and its associated decisions.

The judgment in question was delivered on November 5 by Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja. This significant ruling specifically nullified the emergence of the Senator David Mark-led ADC leadership. Furthermore, the court's decision invalidated all actions and decisions undertaken by this leadership. Critically, this includes the process through which former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar was selected as the African Democratic Congress's presidential candidate for the upcoming 2027 election.

The legal challenge originated from a suit filed by Nafiu Bala Gombe, a former Deputy National Chairman of the ADC. Gombe's suit contested the legitimacy of the Mark-led leadership, leading to the court's decisive ruling. The implications of this Justice Peter Lifu ruling ADC are far-reaching for the party's internal structure and its preparations for the next general election, particularly concerning its 2027 candidate.

Following the Federal High Court ADC leadership nullification, the African Democratic Congress has publicly rejected the judgment. The party has also initiated an appeal against the decision and has filed an application for a stay of execution. Concurrently, the ADC has formally urged INEC to refrain from taking any consequential actions while its appeal remains pending before the higher courts.

INEC's internal protocol dictates a multi-stage review process once the certified copy is obtained. Haruna explained that the Commission's legal department will first scrutinize the document. Their findings and recommendations will then be presented to a committee, which is chaired by a national commissioner. This committee, in turn, will advise the full Commission, which will then make a final decision on the matter. The INEC judgment review process is designed to be thorough, ensuring all legal aspects are considered.

The electoral body has confirmed that it has taken steps to acquire the certified true copy of the judgment but acknowledges that it cannot compel the court to expedite the issuance. Haruna noted that obtaining such a document typically takes approximately one week. Given that the judgment was delivered towards the end of the previous week, INEC anticipates commencing its internal review once the certified copy is in hand. Until then, the Commission maintains that it cannot act on the ruling.

This situation underscores the critical importance of an INEC certified copy ADC judgment for regulatory compliance. It highlights that regulatory bodies like INEC will strictly adhere to procedural requirements, specifically demanding a certified true copy of a court judgment before taking any consequential action. Lawyers advising political parties or candidates affected by such rulings must ensure prompt procurement and submission of certified copies to trigger regulatory compliance, while also noting that an appeal and application for stay of execution can further delay implementation.

This development underscores that regulatory bodies like INEC will strictly adhere to procedural requirements, specifically demanding a certified true copy of a court judgment before taking any consequential action. Lawyers advising political parties or candidates affected by such rulings must ensure prompt procurement and submission of certified copies to trigger regulatory compliance, while also noting that an appeal and application for stay of execution can further delay implementation.

Source: Original reporting via PUNCH Media Foundation