The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has called on the National Judicial Council (NJC) to investigate and discipline Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court following the Court of Appeal’s decision setting aside his judgment in a case involving the party.

Speaking on the development on ARISE News, the ADC’s National Legal Officer, Prof. Oserheimen Osunbor, described the appellate court’s ruling as a victory for democracy and a major boost to public confidence in Nigeria’s judiciary.

According to Osunbor, the trial court ought not to have delivered judgment after the Court of Appeal had ordered a stay of proceedings pending the determination of an appeal challenging earlier rulings in the case.

He alleged that Justice Lifu disregarded the appellate court’s directive and proceeded with the matter despite the order.

“The Federal High Court is a lower court to the Court of Appeal and ought to respect any order or directive from the Court of Appeal. But Justice Lifu proceeded to deliver his judgment anyway,” Osunbor said.

The former Edo State governor argued that the Court of Appeal’s criticism of the trial judge’s conduct raised serious concerns about his suitability to continue handling sensitive matters.

“When you hear a judge being referred to as being guilty of judicial indiscipline, judicial rascality, judicial insubordination or gross insubordination, you begin to wonder whether there’s a place for that judge to remain in the judiciary of Nigeria,” he said.

Osunbor urged the NJC to review Justice Lifu’s conduct, alleging that it was not the first time such issues had arisen.

“It is left to the NJC to look at the conduct of this judge. This is not the first time that he has behaved in this manner,” he added.

The ADC legal chief also described the appellate court’s decision as a significant relief for opposition parties and Nigerians, saying it had restored hope in the country’s judicial system.

He further alleged that there had been attempts to use the judiciary to weaken opposition parties ahead of the 2027 general election, claiming the judgment had frustrated such efforts.

Osunbor argued that the ruling also cleared any uncertainty surrounding the participation of Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke in the August 15 governorship election, expressing confidence that the governor could now focus fully on his re-election bid. (The Sun)

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