ADC Rejects Bid to Reassign Judge in Leadership Suit

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has faulted the move by lawyers representing Nafiu Bala Gombe to seek the reassignment and transfer of his case against the National Working Committee led by Senator David Mark.

In a statement issued on Friday by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC described the action as questionable and contradictory for a plaintiff who claims to be seeking justice but is allegedly avoiding a speedy hearing of the case.
The party stated that Nafiu Bala’s request for the case to be reassigned to another judge appeared to confirm its fears that some individuals linked to the ruling party were attempting to influence the judiciary by ensuring the matter is handled by a preferred judge.
According to the ADC, the development suggests an effort to manipulate judicial proceedings rather than allow the matter to proceed based on merit.
The statement added that the request by Bala and his supporters amounted to treating the judiciary like a platform where litigants can select judges that suit their political interests. The party maintained that no litigant has the right to dictate which judge should preside over a case.
The ADC further argued that the attempt to seek an indefinite adjournment contradicts the directives earlier issued by both the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court for an accelerated hearing of the matter.
The party said that instead of allowing the case to proceed quickly, Bala and his associates were allegedly looking for ways to delay proceedings until they could secure a judge willing to favour their position.
The ADC expressed concern that such actions contribute to damaging the image and integrity of the judiciary, describing it as political interference and behind-the-scenes manipulation.
Reaffirming its commitment to the rule of law, the party insisted that judicial independence must be protected from intimidation, political pressure, and attempts at forum shopping.
The statement was signed by Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, National Publicity Secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).