By Ahmed Akanbi

The Federal High Court in Abuja has slammed a N1 million fine on the African Democratic Congress, ADC, and its National Secretary, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, after dismissing separate applications seeking the recusal of Justice Peter Lifu from the party’s leadership crisis case.

In a ruling delivered on Tuesday, Justice Lifu held that the applications lacked merit, saying the applicants failed to provide credible evidence to support claims of judicial bias.

The court awarded N500,000 against ADC and another N500,000 against Aregbesola, directing payment to the plaintiff.

Justice Lifu described the allegations against him as baseless and said they appeared designed to frustrate proceedings in a matter the Supreme Court had ordered to be handled without delay.

“A careful examination of the affidavits and arguments presented by all parties showed no conduct that could reasonably suggest prejudice on the part of the court,” he said.

“There is no element of bias being painted by the applicants as alleged,” the judge declared while dismissing the applications.

He noted the recusal requests were filed even before the court assumed jurisdiction over the substantive matter, making the allegations “difficult to justify”.

Justice Lifu said accusations of judicial bias are grave claims that must be supported by convincing evidence, warning that litigants cannot accuse judges without proof.

He condemned attempts to intimidate the court, insisting judges must remain independent and should not bow to pressure from parties seeking favourable judgment.

The judge warned that granting such requests without evidence would set a dangerous precedent capable of weakening the nation’s justice system.

The court also faulted “forum shopping,” where litigants attempt to move cases away from judges they believe may not rule in their favour.

“Parties do not have the right to choose judges for their cases,” Justice Lifu said, stressing that judicial assignments remain the responsibility of the court’s administrative authorities.

He added that allowing unproven allegations to force judges out of cases would damage public confidence in the judiciary and encourage abuse of court processes.

Proceedings turned dramatic before the ruling when Kalu-Kalu Agu, counsel for ADC National Welfare Secretary, Nkemakolam Ukandu, challenged the court’s decision to continue hearing the matter.

Agu argued that Justice Lifu had, in a separate ruling on Monday, reportedly ordered the deregistration of ADC by INEC, raising questions about the party’s legal standing in the current case.

Justice Lifu questioned Agu’s status and asked whether he had formally become a party to the suit.

Plaintiff’s counsel, Robert Emukpoeruo, SAN, opposed Agu’s submission, arguing that Ukandu had not been joined in the suit and lacked legal standing to address the court.

Tension rose briefly when Agu attempted to respond further, prompting the judge to caution him against disrupting proceedings.

Other lawyers in the matter, including counsel representing Aregbesola, former Senate President David Mark, and former ADC National Chairman Ralph Nwosu, also made submissions.

Justice Lifu later clarified that the matter before him was separate from the earlier case involving ADC’s alleged deregistration, saying both suits involved different parties and legal issues.

Following the ruling, the court adjourned the case to June 23 for hearing of all pending applications.

The suit was instituted by ADC member Nafiu-Bala Gombe, who is challenging the emergence of former Senate President David Mark as National Chairman and Aregbesola as National Secretary.

Gombe is asking the court to restrain Mark, Aregbesola, and members of the party’s interim National Working Committee from acting as ADC leaders, arguing that their appointments violated the party’s constitution and the Electoral Act.

Named as defendants are ADC, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, and former party chairman Ralph Nwosu.