Mark-led ADC Accuses Nafiu Bala of ‘Turning Judiciary into Shopping Mall’ after Leadership Suit Adjournment

The David Mark-led faction of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has accused Nafiu Bala of “trying to turn the judiciary into a shopping mall” following the indefinite adjournment of the party’s leadership suit by the federal high court in Abuja.

On Friday, the court heard the suit filed by Bala, a former deputy national chairman of the ADC, challenging Mark’s leadership of the party.

At the commencement of the court session, Luka Haruna, counsel to Bala, informed the court of the supreme court judgement delivered on April 30.

Haruna said the supreme court dismissed the appeal for lack of merit and also set aside the court of appeal’s order staying proceedings in the substantive suit.

The lawyer, however, disclosed that the plaintiff had, through a letter dated May 4, 2026, applied to the chief judge of the federal high court for the transfer of the case to another judge.

He said the letter had already been transmitted to the court registrar and prayed Emeka Nwite, the presiding judge, to await the administrative decision of the chief judge.

In a short ruling, Nwite held that the court could not take any decision on the letter without hearing all parties.

He added that since the letter was addressed to the chief judge, the trial court could not make any pronouncement on it.

The matter was thereafter adjourned indefinitely.

Reacting in a statement, Bolaji Abdullahi, ADC’s national publicity secretary, said the ruling had deepened the party’s fears that some agents of “the government are making frantic efforts to manipulate the judiciary by changing the judge in the leadership matter involving Nafiu Bala”.

Abdullahi said the development confirmed “beyond all reasonable doubt” that a plot was underway, allegedly led by a federal minister, to influence the handling of the case.

He said the unfolding events were “no longer about justice or the merit of the case, but about the desperation of Bala and his sponsors.

“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,” he said.

The ADC spokesperson argued that no litigant has the right to choose a judge in his own matter, saying such conduct undermines judicial integrity.

Abdullahi also faulted what he described as attempts to stall the case despite the clear direction of the court of appeal and the supreme court for a speedy trial.

He said the actions of “Bala, and his handlers raised serious questions about efforts to delay the case until they find a judge willing to do their bidding”.

Abdullahi said such interference and behind-the-scenes manipulation had brought the judiciary into disrepute.

He stressed that the ADC would continue to stand by the rule of law but warned that it must not be replaced with judicial intimidation or forum shopping.

He added that the courts must remain independent while judicial officers must be allowed to do their work without political interference or orchestrated campaigns designed to influence proceedings.