ABUJA — The Court of Appeal in Abuja has halted the execution of a Federal High Court judgment that ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deregister five political parties.

The decision saves the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Action Peoples Party (APP), Action Alliance (AA), Accord Party, and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) from immediate dissolution. They will remain legally registered pending the final outcome of their appeals.

Judicial Misconduct Alleged

A three-member appellate panel, led by Justice A. B. Mohammed, issued a scathing rebuke of Justice Peter Lifu. The panel condemned the high court judge for delivering the judgment despite a May 22 order directing him to suspend all proceedings.

The appellate court described the trial judge`s actions as the "gravest form of judicial misconduct," a "brazen violation" of the constitutional hierarchy, and "judicial impertinence". Citing Supreme Court precedent, the panel noted that judges who ignore superior court orders act in a manner that "amounts to judicial rascality" and renders them "unfit for the bench".

INEC and Parties React

During the hearing, INEC’s lead counsel, Mr. Haliru Mohammed, revealed that the commission was "stunned" by the lower court`s ruling. He stated that INEC was never officially notified and only learned of the judgment through media breaking news. Consequently, INEC did not oppose the stay of execution.

Counsel for the ADC, Mr. Shuaibu Aruwa (SAN), further surprised the bench by revealing that Justice Lifu communicated the judgment via WhatsApp. Aruwa labeled the conduct an "invitation to anarchy" and urged the court to press the "reset button" on judicial discipline.

Electoral Crisis Averted

Lawyers representing the affected parties warned that enforcing the deregistration would trigger nationwide constitutional chaos, particularly with crucial by-elections scheduled across six states.

The Federal High Court had originally ordered the deregistration on the grounds that the five parties failed to meet the constitutional requirements needed to maintain their registration and participate in future elections. With the appellate court`s intervention, the enforcement of that judgment is officially frozen.