The National Youth Wing of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) on Thursday petitioned the National Judicial Council (NJC), calling for the removal of Justice Peter Odo Lifu from all matters involving the party and seeking his dismissal from the bench over alleged misconduct.
The petition follows a Federal High Court judgment directing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deregister the ADC and four other political parties, a ruling the youth wing described as politically motivated and a threat to democratic participation.
Speaking outside the ADC National Secretariat in Abuja, Comrade Ibrahim Garba Wala, who represented the party’s National Youth Leader, Comrade Balarabe Rufai, said the group was unable to submit the petition at the NJC office due to alleged barricades mounted by heavily armed security personnel along access roads.
He, however, presented excerpts of the petition to journalists, outlining the group’s demands.
“We demand the immediate, total removal of Hon. Justice Peter Odo Lifu from any and all adjudicatory matters, reviews, or decision-making roles concerning the ADC. Furthermore, we explicitly demand that the National Judicial Council recommend his dismissal from the Nigerian judiciary,” the petition stated.
The group alleged that Justice Lifu proceeded with the case despite a Court of Appeal order staying proceedings, and accused the court of overlooking irregularities involving the plaintiffs.
It also argued that repeated complaints against the judge were eroding public confidence in the judiciary and undermining democratic processes.
In a strongly worded remark, the youth wing declared: “The ballot box belongs to us, and we will not allow any court to rob us of our political expression.”
The group said it would continue its protest until the NJC takes action on its demands.
