The Court of Appeal in Abuja on Tuesday ordered a stay of execution of the judgment of the Federal High Court directing the Independent National Electoral Commission to deregister the African Democratic Congress, Accord Party and three other political parties.
The appellate court’s ruling came less than 24 hours after Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court ordered the electoral commission to deregister the affected parties for allegedly failing to meet constitutional requirements for continued registration.
According to a report by Daily Trust, the Court of Appeal directed INEC not to take any step towards implementing the Federal High Court judgment pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit filed by the affected political parties.
The three member panel of the appellate court reportedly criticised the lower court’s decision, describing it as a “brazen disregard for the higher court and judicial impertinence.”
The court held that the execution of the judgment should be suspended to preserve the subject matter of the dispute and prevent actions that could render the appeal nugatory.
Justice Lifu had on Monday ordered INEC to deregister the ADC, Accord Party and three other political parties over alleged non compliance with constitutional provisions guiding the existence and operation of political parties in the country.
However, dissatisfied with the ruling, the affected parties approached the Court of Appeal seeking an order staying the execution of the judgment pending the determination of their appeal.
The appellate court subsequently granted the request, effectively allowing the parties to retain their legal status and continue their political activities until the final resolution of the case.
