ABUJA — A Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed the objection by African Democratic Congress (ADC) National Chairman, Senator David Mark, to a suit challenging the party’s leadership, imposing a ₦500,000 fine on him and former Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola.
Justice Peter Odo Lifu, in a ruling on Friday, described the objections filed by Mark and Aregbesola against amendments sought by ADC chieftain, Nafiu Bala Gombe, as “frivolous, baseless and without iota of merit.”
The court held that the amendment to the originating summons was a legitimate step in civil litigation aimed at preventing miscarriage of justice. “The amendment sought is to give life to the case of the plaintiff and cannot be faulted,” Justice Lifu ruled, adding that the concerns raised by the defendants were “unnecessary and uncalled for.”
The judge further noted that the amendment arose בעקבות a change of counsel and ruled that the defendants would not be prejudiced if it was granted. He subsequently dismissed the objections and ordered Mark and Aregbesola to each pay ₦500,000 to the plaintiff.
The court also granted the defendants leave to file counter-affidavits to respond to the amended claims.
The suit was filed by Nafiu Bala Gombe, a former Deputy National Chairman of the ADC, who is challenging the emergence of Mark and Aregbesola as national leaders of the party. Through his counsel, Lukman Fagbemi (SAN), Gombe argued that the amendments were necessary and lawful, especially as judgment had not yet been delivered.
However, Mark, represented by Dr. Suleiman Umar (SAN), had opposed the application, arguing that allowing the amendment would give the plaintiff an unfair advantage after reviewing the defence. Similarly, Aregbesola, through his counsel, Realwan Okpanachi, contended that the amendments altered the substance of the case and introduced new claims and documents.
Aregbesola maintained that the party’s National Executive Committee validly appointed the current leadership during a meeting held on July 29, 2025, with due notice given to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Gombe, however, insists that the appointments violate both the ADC Constitution and the Electoral Act, seeking a court order restraining the defendants from acting as party leaders.
The ADC, Mark, Aregbesola, INEC, and former National Chairman Ralph Nwosu are listed as defendants in the suit.
