The Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal has ordered a stay of execution of the Federal High Court judgment directing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deregister five political parties, while sharply condemning the trial judge, Justice Peter Lifu, for what it described as judicial rascality.
The appellate court held that Justice Lifu acted in flagrant disregard of a subsisting Court of Appeal order when he proceeded to hear and deliver the judgment on Monday, despite the pendency of the matter before the higher court.
In a unanimous decision, a three-member panel of the appellate court led by Justice A. B. Mohammed, berated Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja for flouting an order it made on May 22, which directed him to suspend proceedings before him.
The appellate court held that Justice Lifu’s action amounted to an affront on the hierarchy of courts.
It held that the lower court’s action was “the highest form of judicial impertinence,” stressing that the Supreme Court previously held that a judge who acted in such manner “is unfit for the bench as it amounts to judicial rascality.”
“Courts are enjoined to protect their integrity. This Court has supervisory authority over the trial court. The decision of the lower court to proceed with the judgment despite the express order of this court is a brazen violation of the hierarchy of the court and the 1999 Constitution.
“This court has the duty to invoke its powers in ensuring that its orders are made.
“The application for stay of execution is here yet granted. The enforcement of the judgment is stayed,” the appellate court held.
The other parties the high court directed INEC to deregister are the Action Peoples Party (APP), Action Alliance (AA), Accord Party (AP), and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP).
According to the court, the five political parties failed to meet the constitutional requirements to warrant their continued existence and participation in future elections.
It stopped INEC from further according recognition to the parties, accepting nominations of candidates from the affected parties, or giving effect to their activities for the purpose of participating in the 2027 general elections.
Justice Lifu equally ordered the defendants to stop parading themselves as registered political parties in the country.
The judgment, delivered by Justice Peter Lifu, was rendered in direct defiance of a subsisting order of the Court of Appeal, which had on May 22, 2026, stayed further proceedings in the case pending the determination of an appeal.
A three-member panel of the appellate court, led by Justice Mohammed Danjuma, had granted the stay while ruling on a motion on notice filed by the Accord Party in Appeal No: CA/ABJ/CV/569/2026. An enrolled order of the court, signed by Deputy Registrar Josephine Ekperobe, stated:
“It is hereby ordered that pursuant to Order 4 Rules 16 and 11 of the Court of Appeal Rules 2021, the application filed on May 4, 2026, is granted staying further proceedings in Suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/2637/2025, pending the hearing and determination of this appeal. This appeal is adjourned to October 27, 2026 for hearing.”
Notwithstanding the appellate court’s order, Justice Lifu proceeded to deliver judgment, directing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deregister the five parties and barring them from participating in any future elections, including the 2027 general polls.
