Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
A civil society organisation, the TAP Initiative for Citizens’ Development, has formally petitioned the National Judicial Council (NJC) to investigate Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court, Abuja, over his handling of a judgment that ordered the deregistration of five political parties, including the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the Accord Party. The petition, dated June 16, 2026, was submitted to the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) and NJC Chairman, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, demanding a probe into what the group described as a “grave violation” of judicial hierarchy and disregard for a subsisting appellate court order.
The dispute stems from a ruling delivered on Monday, June 15, 2026, by Justice Lifu, which directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to immediately deregister the ADC, Accord Party, Action Peoples Party (APP), Action Alliance (AA), and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP). The court held that the parties had failed to meet the constitutional performance thresholds required for continued registration under Section 225A of the 1999 Constitution. The judgment effectively barred the affected parties from participating in future elections, including the 2026 off-cycle governorship polls and the 2027 general elections.
In its petition, the TAP Initiative argued that Justice Lifu’s ruling was delivered in blatant disregard of an existing order of the Court of Appeal. According to the CSO, an appeal marked CA/ABJ/CV/569/2026 was already pending before the appellate court concerning the same subject matter. Furthermore, on May 22, 2026, the Court of Appeal had issued an Enrolment Order expressly granting a stay of proceedings in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/2637/2025 – the very proceedings in which Justice Lifu subsequently proceeded to deliver judgment. “Tap Initiative expresses grave concern that at the time the said judgment was delivered, there were subsisting appellate proceedings before the Court of Appeal,” the petition read. “Furthermore, the Court of Appeal had issued an Enrolment Order expressly granting a stay of proceedings in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/2637/2025, being the very proceedings in which the Federal High Court subsequently proceeded to deliver judgment.”
The CSO warned that the development raised “profound constitutional and procedural concerns,” arguing that if established, it would amount to “a serious affront to the doctrine of judicial hierarchy and the supervisory jurisdiction of the Court of Appeal.” The group further stated that any deviation from these principles risks creating conflicting judicial outcomes, eroding legal certainty, and undermining public confidence in the courts. Tap Initiative also accused Justice Lifu’s action of potentially conflicting with provisions of the Code of Conduct for Judicial Officers of Nigeria, which require judges to maintain high ethical standards, fairness, diligence, and conduct capable of preserving public confidence in the judiciary.
Beyond the legal arguments, the organisation warned that the judgment could have wider implications for Nigeria’s democratic process, especially with the 2026 off-cycle governorship elections and the 2027 general elections approaching. “The decision has the potential to heighten political tension, destabilise the democratic space, and create unnecessary friction capable of undermining law and order,” the petition stated. “With the 2026 off-cycle governorship elections and the 2027 general elections approaching, the ramifications of such a judgement could be far-reaching, potentially narrowing political competition and limiting voter choice in a multi-party democracy.”
The petition was signed by Mbasekei Martin Obono, Executive Director of Tap Initiative for Citizens’ Development. The group requested the NJC to determine whether the decision was delivered in disregard of pending appellate proceedings and a subsisting order of stay, examine possible breaches of the judicial code of conduct, take appropriate disciplinary action if misconduct is established, and reaffirm the authority of appellate courts and the supremacy of due process within the judiciary.
The petition comes on the same day that the Court of Appeal delivered a stinging rebuke to Justice Lifu for proceeding with the case. In a unanimous decision on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, a three-member panel led by Justice Abba Mohammed faulted the high court judge for proceeding with the case despite the earlier order of the appellate court staying proceedings. The appellate court held that the lower court acted while an appeal and a valid stay order were pending before it and consequently ordered that the status quo be maintained pending the determination of the appeal. The panel added that proceeding with the judgment in the face of a stay order amounted to “the highest form of judicial impertinence.”
As of the time of filing this report, Justice Lifu, the Federal High Court, and the National Judicial Council had not publicly responded to the allegations. However, the NJC is expected to review the petition and determine whether disciplinary action against the judge is warranted. The ruling has sparked widespread reactions from political parties and civil society, with many viewing the development as a serious test of judicial discipline and the autonomy of Nigeria’s appellate courts.
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