A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the National Welfare Secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Nkemakolam Ukandu, to pay N100 million in costs after striking out his suit against the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho, and Justice Peter Lifu.
Justice Salim Ibrahim, who delivered the ruling on Monday, dismissed the suit for lack of diligent prosecution after Ukandu and his lawyer failed to appear in court.
The judge awarded N50 million each to Justices Tsoho and Lifu following an oral application by their counsel, J.U.K. Igwe, and directed that the money be paid within 14 days.
“Based on the provision of Order 19(1) of the Rules of this Honourable Court, 2019, the court hereby makes an order striking out this suit for lack of diligent prosecution,” Justice Ibrahim ruled.
“It is further ordered that the plaintiff is to pay the sum of N50 million each to the second and third defendants within 14 days from the date of this order.”
Suit Challenged Alleged Judicial Bias
Ukandu had instituted the suit against the National Judicial Council (NJC), Justice Tsoho and Justice Lifu, accusing the two judges of bias, abuse of judicial powers and disobedience to a court order.
In the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1165/2026, he asked the court to compel the NJC to investigate the allegations against the judges.
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However, neither Ukandu nor his counsel appeared when the matter was called on Monday.
At the previous sitting on June 30, Justice Ibrahim had warned that the case would be struck out if the plaintiff or his lawyer failed to attend the next hearing.
The suit stemmed from the leadership crisis within the ADC.
Case Linked to ADC Leadership Crisis
Ukandu challenged Justice Tsoho’s decision to transfer a suit filed by an aggrieved ADC chieftain, Nafiu Bala, from Justice Emeka Nwite to Justice Lifu.
He argued that the reassignment violated an earlier Supreme Court order, which returned the matter to Justice Nwite to determine pending applications challenging the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court.
Ukandu also alleged that Justice Lifu continued to hear the case despite the subsisting court orders. He sought an injunction restraining the judge from proceeding with the leadership dispute pending the determination of his petition before the NJC and asked the court to order Justice Lifu to recuse himself from the matter.
Rafiyat Sadiq is a political, justice, and human rights reporter with Pinnacle Daily, known for fearless reporting and impactful storytelling. At Pinnacle Daily, she brings clarity and depth to issues shaping governance, democracy, and the protection of citizens’ rights.