The Supreme Court of Nigeria has reserved judgment in an appeal filed by the National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), David Mark, challenging the jurisdiction of the courts to intervene in the party’s internal affairs.
A five-member panel of the apex court, led by Justice Garba Mohammed, announced the decision after lawyers for all parties adopted their written submissions.
Counsel to David Mark, Jibrin Okutepa (SAN), urged the court to allow the appeal, arguing that the trial court lacked jurisdiction to hear a matter relating to internal party affairs.
“The court has no jurisdiction to make that order, Becuse they court has no jurisdiction to entertain the substantive matter, being an internal affair of a political party.”
– David Mark’s ADC legal counsel insists the Court has no Business in this Matter. pic.twitter.com/lO6W1vgJHA
— Chude (@Chude_ND1) April 22, 2026
However, counsel to Nafiu Gombe, Robert Emukpero (SAN), asked the apex court to dismiss the appeal and affirm the decision of the lower courts, which held that the case was premature and incompetent.
The dispute stems from a decision of the Court of Appeal, which had earlier dismissed David Mark’s challenge to the jurisdiction of Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Abuja.
The appellate court ruled that the suit was filed prematurely and without leave of the trial court, and ordered that the matter be returned to the Federal High Court for expeditious hearing while maintaining the status quo ante bellum.
After hearing arguments, the Supreme Court reserved judgment to a date to be communicated to counsel.
