By Ogungbayi Adeyemi S. | adeyemi@ddnewsonline.com
Editor, DDNews |
A civil society organisation, Tap Initiative for Citizens’ Development, has petitioned the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, and the National Judicial Council (NJC), demanding a full investigation into alleged judicial misconduct by Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court, Abuja Division.
In a petition dated June 16, 2026, the group called on the NJC to probe and, if necessary, sanction Justice Lifu over a recent judgment ordering the deregistration of several political parties, including the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Accord Party, Action Peoples Party (APP), Action Alliance (AA), and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP).
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Tap Initiative alleged that the judgment was delivered despite ongoing appellate proceedings before the Court of Appeal on the same matter.
According to the organisation, an appeal marked CA/ABJ/CV/569/2026 was already pending at the appellate court, which had issued an Enrolment Order granting a stay of proceedings in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/2637/2025 — the same case in which Justice Lifu delivered judgment.
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The group argued that proceeding with the judgment despite the alleged stay order raised serious constitutional and procedural concerns regarding respect for judicial hierarchy and the authority of appellate courts.
“The situation raises profound constitutional and procedural concerns, as it appears that a valid order of stay and active appellate proceedings were in force at the material time,” the petition stated.
Tap Initiative warned that any confirmation that the Federal High Court acted despite a subsisting appellate order would represent a serious threat to Nigeria’s judicial system and undermine public confidence in the administration of justice.
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The organisation stressed that the credibility of the judiciary depends on strict adherence to due process, judicial discipline, and respect for the hierarchy of courts.
It also accused Justice Lifu’s action of potentially breaching provisions of the Code of Conduct for Judicial Officers of Nigeria, which demand high ethical standards, fairness, diligence, and conduct that preserves public confidence.
Beyond the legal arguments, the group warned that the judgment could have far-reaching implications for Nigeria’s democratic process, especially with the 2026 off-cycle governorship elections and the 2027 general elections approaching.
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Tap Initiative argued that political parties serve as vital constitutional platforms for citizens to exercise their rights to association, participation, and representation, warning that decisions affecting their existence could impact millions of voters.
“Any judicial action that significantly alters their participation in the electoral process inevitably affects not only the parties themselves but also the democratic rights of citizens who rely on them for political expression,” the group said.
The organisation urged the NJC to urgently investigate whether Justice Lifu’s decision disregarded pending appellate proceedings and whether it breached judicial conduct rules.
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It asked the council to determine if disciplinary measures were necessary and to reaffirm the authority of appellate courts in Nigeria’s justice system.
The petition was signed by Mbasekei Martin Obono, Esq., Executive Director of Tap Initiative for Citizens’ Development.
Justice Lifu, the Federal High Court, and the NJC had not publicly reacted to the petition as of the time of filing this report.
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By Ogungbayi Adeyemi S. (Beedee)
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