The Court of Appeal in Abuja has suspended the execution of a judgment that ordered the deregistration of five political parties, including the African Democratic Party (ADC), Action Peoples Party (APP), Action Alliance (AA), Accord Party (AP), and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP).
The appellate court described the development as a serious breach of judicial hierarchy, stating that the trial judge acted in disregard of its earlier directive on the matter.
The panel of justices held that Justice Peter Lifu exhibited what it termed judicial impertinence by proceeding with the case despite a pending appeal and an existing order from the Court of Appeal.
It further described the lower court’s action as judicial rascality, noting that it amounted to a direct affront to the established hierarchy of courts in Nigeria’s legal system.
According to the court, Justice Lifu’s decision to continue hearing and issuing orders in the matter represented a violation of constitutional procedures and judicial discipline.
“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,” the panel held.
The Court of Appeal stated that it has supervisory authority over the trial court and stressed the need to protect the integrity of the judiciary by ensuring compliance with its orders.
It added that the Supreme Court had previously warned that judicial conduct of such nature could amount to conduct unfit for the bench.
Consequently, the appellate court granted a stay of execution, effectively halting the enforcement of the judgment pending further determination of the case.
“The application for a stay of execution is hereby granted. The enforcement of the judgment is stayed,” the court ruled.
The original judgment had directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deregister the five political parties on the grounds that they allegedly failed to meet constitutional requirements for continued participation in elections.
The appellate court’s ruling now preserves the status of the affected parties pending the final resolution of the legal dispute.
