Court Throws Out Bias Suit, Awards ₦100m Against ADC Chieftain

The Federal High Court in Abuja has directed the African Democratic Congress (ADC) National Welfare Secretary, Nkemakolam Ukandu, to pay ₦100 million to the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho, and Justice Peter Lifu.

Justice Salim Ibrahim gave the order on Monday after striking out Ukandu’s suit for lack of diligent prosecution.

The judge directed Ukandu to pay ₦50 million each to Justice Tsoho and Justice Lifu within 14 days.

The order followed an oral application by counsel to the two judges, J.U.K. Igwe (SAN).

Ukandu had sued the National Judicial Council (NJC), Justice Tsoho and Justice Lifu over alleged bias, corruption, abuse of judicial powers and disobedience to 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 two judicial officers.

However, neither Ukandu nor his lawyer had appeared before Justice Ibrahim since the case was assigned to the court.

The judge had earlier warned on June 30 that the suit could be dismissed if the plaintiff failed to appear or be represented.

The suit arose from the leadership crisis in the ADC involving an aggrieved party member, Nafiu-Bala Gombe, whose case is currently before Justice Lifu.

Gombe is seeking an order restraining the Senator David Mark-led leadership of the ADC from parading themselves as leaders of the party.

Ukandu, who sought to be joined in Gombe’s suit, accused Justice Tsoho and Justice Lifu of bias.

He also faulted the reassignment of the case to Justice Lifu after it was withdrawn from Justice Emeka Nwite, alleging that the action violated orders of the Supreme Court and Justice Nwite.