By Kamsi Anayo
The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja has ordered a stay of execution on the judgment of the Federal High Court which directed the deregistration of five political parties, including the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
The appellate court suspended the enforcement of the judgment delivered by Justice Peter Lifu, pending the determination of appeals challenging the ruling.
The affected political parties are the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Action Peoples Party (APP), Action Alliance (AA), Accord Party (AP), and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP).
The Court of Appeal criticized the conduct of the trial court, holding that Justice Lifu proceeded to hear and determine the matter despite an existing order of the appellate court and the pendency of related proceedings before it.
The appellate panel described the lower court’s action as a serious violation of judicial hierarchy and constitutional procedure, stressing that courts are bound to respect the authority and directives of superior courts.
According to the appellate court, the decision to proceed with the judgment despite an express order from the Court of Appeal amounted to a direct affront to the established hierarchy of courts and undermined the integrity of the judicial process.
The court noted that previous pronouncements of the Supreme Court had condemned similar conduct, emphasizing that judges must exercise restraint and adhere strictly to established judicial procedures.
“Courts are enjoined to protect their integrity. This Court has supervisory authority over the trial court. 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 courts and the provisions of the Constitution,” the appellate court held.
Consequently, the court granted the application for a stay of execution and ordered that the enforcement of the Federal High Court judgment be suspended pending further proceedings.
Justice Lifu had earlier directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deregister the five political parties, ruling that they failed to satisfy constitutional requirements necessary for their continued participation in Nigeria’s electoral process.
The judgment sparked widespread reactions across the political spectrum, with opposition figures and party leaders warning against actions they described as capable of narrowing Nigeria’s democratic space.
