A Federal High Court in Abuja yesterday adjourned to November 3, 2026, for hearing a suit by one of the stakeholders, Coach Ayodele Olaseinde Bakare, challenging the legality of today’s Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) electoral congress.

The court’s decision allows today’s NBBF elective congress to go on as scheduled, while the case will be heard on November 3.

The former D’Tigers’ coach is challenging the legality of the NBBF elective congress, which, he alleged, is marked by irregularities.

The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2428, was instituted by Bakare against the NBBF and the National Sports Commission (NSC).

Bakare was earlier disqualified from vying for the presidency of the federation on the grounds that he submitted his papers late.

But in the suit, he is challenging the validity of the extraordinary congress held in Yola, Adamawa State, alleging that the process violated provisions of the federation’s constitution.

Bakare argued that the notice convening the Yola congress was not issued in accordance with the NBBF Constitution, claiming that neither two-thirds of Congress members nor the federation’s board provided the required notice.

He further alleged that only 44 of the 50 congress members were served notice of the meeting, a development he argued breached constitutional provisions and denied the other members their right to a fair hearing.

He sought an interim order restraining the federation from conducting the elective congress as scheduled, but the court rejected his plea.

The court took into consideration the proximity of the election and the financial and logistical commitments already made by the federation and stakeholders, including travel arrangements for delegates, venue bookings and other preparations.

The court’s refusal to grant the interim order does not amount to a final ruling on the legality of the electoral process, as the substantive suit remains pending.

In rejecting the plaintiff’s plea, the court also considered the need to give the defendants an opportunity to respond before making an order that could disrupt the electoral process.

The court, however, granted an application to abridge the time allowed for the defendants to respond to the substantive claims, reducing the period from one month to two weeks.

It also directed that the originating court processes be served on both the NBBF and the NSC to formally notify them of the suit.

The court consequently adjourned the matter until November 3, when it is expected to consider the legal arguments surrounding the disputed congress.

Reacting to the court’s verdict, Bakare said that he did not go to court to stop the election, but to ensure that things are done the right way.

“We wanted an accelerated hearing, and we got November 3, which is excellent. So on that date all parties will be in court, and then we argue the matter. It is only two weeks from now.

“We are confident of our position. This was not intended to ambush the Congress, but to ensure that things are done the right way.” (Guardian)