JUST IN: Supreme Court orders David Mark-led ADC back to trial court, voids status quo order

The supreme court has directed David Mark, a former senate president, to return to the federal high court for the hearing and determination of issues arising from the leadership dispute within the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

Delivering a unanimous judgment on Thursday, a five-member panel of the apex court, headed by Mohammed Garba, faulted the order of the court of appeal which asked parties in the suit to maintain status quo.

“Giving such an order in an appeal it had already dismissed was unnecessary, unwarranted and improper,” the Supreme Court ruled.

The court noted that the appeal filed by Mark succeeded in part, although it dismissed the aspect challenging an ex parte order issued by the Federal High Court for service of processes in the suit initiated by aggrieved party members.

The apex court further directed all parties involved in the dispute to return to the trial court for the continuation of proceedings.

The development follows an earlier decision by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to remove David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola from its portal as the ADC National Chairman and Secretary, respectively, citing the Court of Appeal’s ruling.

INEC had also stated that it would not recognise any faction of the party pending the resolution of the legal dispute, in line with the now-vacated order maintaining the status quo.

The latest ruling is expected to reshape the internal leadership dynamics within the ADC as the case returns to the lower court for further hearing.