Abuja – The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja has ordered a stay of execution of the judgment delivered by Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court, which deregistered five political parties—the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Action Peoples Party (APP), Action Alliance (AA), Accord Party (AP), and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP).
In a ruling delivered on Tuesday, the appellate court strongly criticized the actions of the trial judge, describing the development as the “highest form of judicial impertinence.”
The appellate panel held that Justice Lifu proceeded to hear and determine the matter despite an earlier order of the Court of Appeal and the fact that the case was already pending before the appellate court.
According to the justices, the trial judge exhibited what they termed “judicial rascality” by disregarding the subsisting order of the appellate court and going ahead to make the controversial ruling.
The court noted that such conduct undermines the hierarchy of courts and the administration of justice, stressing that lower courts are bound by orders and directives issued by superior courts.
Consequently, the Court of Appeal granted an application for a stay of execution, effectively suspending the enforcement of the judgment deregistering the five political parties pending the determination of the substantive appeal.
The decision means that the affected parties—ADC, APP, AA, AP, and ZLP—will retain their legal status and continue their political activities until the appeal is fully determined.
The case is expected to return to the appellate court for further proceedings on the substantive issues raised by the parties.