The Court of Appeal in Abuja has overturned a Federal High Court judgment that ordered the proscription of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Accord Party, and three other political parties, ruling that the suit should not have been entertained.
In a unanimous judgment delivered on Tuesday, the appellate court held that the plaintiffs lacked the legal standing required to institute the case, effectively nullifying the earlier decision.
Appeal Court Sets Aside Lower Court Ruling
A three-member panel of the Court of Appeal, led by Justice Abba Bello, ruled that the Forum of Former Legislators, which initiated the suit seeking the deregistration of the political parties, had no locus standi (legal right) to bring the action before the court.
Based on that finding, the appellate court declared the judgment delivered by the Federal High Court to be invalid.
The ruling voided and set aside the earlier decision of Justice Peter Odo Lifu, effectively dismissing the case.
Plaintiffs Ordered to Pay ₦1 Million
In addition to dismissing the suit, the Court of Appeal awarded ₦1 million in costs against the Forum of Former Legislators, which filed the case.
The appellate court’s decision means the Federal High Court’s order directing the proscription of the ADC, Accord Party, and the other affected parties no longer stands.
The judgment reinforces the legal principle that only parties with sufficient legal interest, or locus standi, can institute court proceedings.
By setting aside the Federal High Court’s ruling, the Court of Appeal has restored the legal position of the affected political parties pending any further appeal or judicial proceedings….See More
More details are expected as the full judgment becomes available.
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