By Olawale Lamina
African Democratic Congress (ADC) has alleged that the Federal High Court’s indefinite adjournment ruling over its leadership dispute suit is a contradiction of the Supreme Court directives.
According to the opposition political party, the court’s action is a proof of its concern for judicial manipulation and political interference in the leadership case involving Nafiu Bala.
ADC equally opposed the move by Bala’s lawyers seeking re-assignment of the suit challenging the David Mark-led National Working Committee (NWC) to another judge.
A statement by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, on Friday expressed concern that a plaintiff seeking justice would resist speedy hearing.
Abdullahi alleged that Bala’s request to transfer the case formed part of attempts to manipulate judicial processes and secure a preferred judge.
Again, he alleged that external forces were making efforts to influence proceedings by changing the judge presiding over the matter.
He said: “This is no longer about justice or the merit of the case, but about the desperation of political operatives confronted by the utter frivolity of their case.
“Bala and his handlers are re turning the judiciary into a shopping mall where judges are selected for political convenience.”
According to Bolaji Abdullahi, no litigant had the right to determine which judge should preside over a case because proceedings appeared unfavourable.
He pointed out that seeking indefinite adjournment after appellate courts had ordered a speedy trial raised concerns about obedience to superior judicial declaration.
“Instead of allowing the matter to proceed expeditiously, as any aggrieved plaintiff genuinely seeking justice would, Bala and his handlers are looking for ways to stall the case until they are able to find a judge willing to do their bidding and pervert the course of justice.
“We regret to say that this is exactly the kind of political interference and behind-the-scene manipulations that have brought the judiciary into disrepute,” he said.
Abdullahi, seized the occasion to reaffirm ADC’s commitment to the rule of law, while stressing that judicial independence must overrule intimidation.
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