2027: ‘Judiciary targeting oppositons’ – ADC drags Chief Judge Tsoho to court

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has filed a suit before a High Court in Abuja involving the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho, over concerns arising from an ongoing leadership dispute within the party.

Also joined in the suit is the National Judicial Council (NJC), which the party said had not addressed issues it raised regarding the handling of a case challenging the leadership of former Senate President, Senator David Mark, within the ADC.

The suit, dated June 4, 2026, was filed by the National Welfare Secretary of the ADC, Nkemakolam Ukandu, who is seeking to be joined in Suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/1819/2025 instituted by Nafiu Bala Gombe against the Mark-led leadership of the party.

According to the suit, Ukandu expressed concerns about the handling of the matter and alleged that the actions of both Justice Tsoho and Justice Peter Lifu, the judge assigned to hear the case, could affect confidence in the proceedings.

The suit further stated that the assignment of the case to Justice Lifu had generated concerns among some members of the party, who believe the process may not guarantee a fair hearing.

The legal action marks a fresh twist in the leadership dispute within the ADC, which has attracted significant political attention ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Meanwhile, a group known as the Grassroots Mobilization Network (GMN) also raised concerns about the handling of the matter and called for transparency in the judicial process.

The group alleged that the judiciary was being used to target opposition parties.

However, these claims remain allegations, and no official response had been issued by the Federal High Court or Justice Lifu as of the time of filing this report.

The group expressed concern over what it described as growing public distrust in the judiciary and called on relevant authorities to ensure fairness and transparency in the handling of politically sensitive cases.

Neither the Federal High Court nor the National Judicial Council had publicly responded to the issues raised at the time of this report.