By Ikugbadi Oluwasegun
The Court of Appeal, in a unanimous decision has overturned the judgement of the Federal High Court which ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), to deregister the African Democratic Congress (ADC), and four other political parties.
The other parties include the Accord Party, Action Alliance (AA); Action Peoples Party (APP); and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP).
The 3-member panel, led by Justice Abba Mohammed, in a unanimous judgement, held that the judgement of the Federal High Court is null and void, saying it is a legal nullity.
The appeal court maintained that the trial court lacked the jurisdiction to entertain the suit and criticized its decision to proceed with the delivery of judgment despite an existing Court of Appeal order staying further proceedings, including the delivery of judgment.
The appeal court declared that the plaintiff lacked the locus standi to institute the action, making the entire proceedings incompetent.
The Court of Appeal, therefore, repudiated the judgement of the Federal High Court and affirmed the legal status of the five political parties.
