The Supreme Court of Nigeria has fixed April 22 for hearing in an appeal arising from the protracted leadership dispute within the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
The appeal was filed by a factional National Chairman of the party, Senator David Mark, challenging earlier court decisions that went against his claims to the leadership of the ADC.
A five-member panel of the apex court, led by Justice Mohammed Garba, scheduled the hearing on Tuesday after granting an application for accelerated hearing in the appeal marked SC/CV/180/2026.
The court also issued directives to fast-track the filing of briefs. Counsel to the appellant, Jibril Okutepa (SAN), was ordered to file and serve the appellant’s brief on Wednesday.
Respondents in the case are to file and serve their briefs within three days of receiving the appellant’s submission, while the appellant is permitted to file a reply, where necessary, within one day of being served.
The appeal challenges the March 12 judgment of the Court of Appeal, which dismissed Mark’s earlier appeal against the September 4, 2025 ruling of the Federal High Court, Abuja.
In that ruling, Justice Emeka Nwite declined to grant injunctive reliefs sought in an ex parte application filed by a party chieftain, Nafiu Bala Gombe.
The dispute is part of a lingering leadership crisis that has continued to generate factions within the ADC, with contending groups laying claim to the party’s national leadership structure.
At the centre of the legal tussle are efforts by rival camps to secure judicial backing for control of the party’s affairs, including its structures ahead of future electoral activities.
The conflicting judgments from lower courts have further deepened divisions within the party, prompting recourse to the Supreme Court for a final determination.
The outcome of the April 22 hearing is expected to provide clarity on the leadership question and potentially shape the party’s internal cohesion ahead of upcoming political engagements.
