A Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday, September 15, 2025, declined to proceed with a suit seeking to stop Senator David Mark and former Interior Minister Rauf Aregbesola from leading the African Democratic Congress (ADC) due to improper service of court papers.
Justice Emeka Nwite ruled that the plaintiff, Mr. Nafiu-Bala Gombe, failed to personally serve Mark, Aregbesola and Chief Ralph Nwosu as required by law. The judge held that service through the ADC was invalid and ordered the plaintiff to regularise the process before the next sitting.
INEC, also listed as a defendant, was served in open court following the judge’s directive. Counsel for the ADC, Shuaib Eneojoh Aruwa, SAN, further argued that the plaintiff had yet to fully comply with service requirements.
The case, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1819/2025, seeks to restrain INEC from recognising Mark and Aregbesola as ADC chairman and secretary, and to stop them from parading themselves as party leaders.
Justice Nwite adjourned the matter to September 30, 2025, for hearing.
