ADC Alleges Judicial Manipulation, Says Move To Reassign Bala’s Suit Against David Mark-Led NWC Contradicts Supreme Court Ruling

Abuja, Nigeria– The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has accused the Federal Government of attempting to manipulate the judiciary following moves by lawyers to Nafiu Bala Gombe seeking the reassignment and transfer of his suit against the party’s David Mark-led National Working Committee (NWC).

This is contained in a statement issued on Friday, the party described the development as suspicious and politically motivated, insisting that the request for reassignment of the case confirms its long-held fears that certain forces are shopping for a “preferred judge” to handle the matter.

The statement, signed by the ADC National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, said it was curious, if not outright laughable, that a plaintiff who claims to be seeking justice would suddenly move to delay the hearing of his own case.

The party alleged that the latest move by Nafiu Bala Gombe and his legal team was part of a broader plot aimed at frustrating speedy adjudication and manipulating judicial processes for political ends.

“The African Democratic Congress would like to reiterate our fears that some agents of the Federal Government are making frantic efforts to manipulate the judiciary by switching the judge in the leadership matter involving Nafiu Bala.”

ADC further claimed that the letter allegedly written by Bala requesting the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court to reassign the matter to another judge had exposed a sinister plot allegedly being driven by a powerful member of the Federal Government.

The statement read, “Having received the letter written by Bala requesting the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court to reassign the case to another judge, it has now been proven beyond all reasonable doubt that the sinister plot allegedly led by a notorious federal minister is indeed afoot.

“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.”

The opposition party accused Bala and those backing him of attempting to reduce the judiciary to a political tool where litigants seek judges believed to be favourable to their interests.

“With this development, it is now obvious that Nafiu Bala Gombe and his handlers are trying to turn the judiciary into a shopping mall where you pick and choose judges suitable for your political schemes,” Abdullahi added.

“You cannot file a case and then begin to dictate which judge should hear it simply because proceedings are not going your way. No litigant has the right to choose a judge in his own matter.”

The ADC also expressed concern over what it described as attempts to secure an indefinite adjournment despite what it said were clear directives from the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court for accelerated hearing of the matter.

According to the party, such actions raise troubling concerns about whether lower courts are willing to comply with the decisions and directions of superior courts.

“The attempt to seek an indefinite adjournment after the clear direction of the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court for a speedy trial, in fact, raises serious questions about the willingness of the lower courts to obey express orders from superior courts,” he said.

The party maintained that rather than pursuing speedy justice, Bala and his alleged political backers were deliberately trying to frustrate proceedings until they succeeded in getting a judge who would allegedly do their bidding.

“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,” ADC alleged.

The party warned that continued political interference in judicial matters could further damage public confidence in the nation’s judiciary.

“We regret to say that this is exactly the kind of political interference and behind-the-scenes manipulation that has brought the judiciary into disrepute.”

Reaffirming its commitment to democratic principles and the rule of law, the ADC insisted that judicial independence must be protected from political intimidation and external influence.

“We want to state clearly that the ADC will continue to stand by the rule of law. But the rule of law must not be replaced with judicial intimidation or forum shopping.

“The courts must remain independent, and judicial officers must be allowed to do their work without political interference or orchestrated campaigns designed to influence proceedings.”