From Umar Danladi Ado, Sokoto
The Federal High Court sitting in Sokoto, presided over by Justice Ahmad Gama Mahmud, has again adjourned the suit arising from the lingering leadership crisis in the Sokoto State chapter of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to June 19, 2026, for further hearing.
Our correspondent reports that Dr. Sulaiman Usman, SAN, counsel to the 1st defendant, filed a motion requesting the court to ensure that they are served with proper originating processes in line with the court’s records.
He drew the court’s attention to a procedural lapse, noting that the originating processes served on them had not been duly signed by the court’s registry officials.
“The proper procedure must be followed to enable us respond appropriately. What happened is a clear procedural error,” he said.
Barrister Matthew Burkaa, SAN, lead counsel to the plaintiffs, maintained that the defendants had been served with the originating processes, although he agreed with the concerns raised by Dr. Usman regarding the procedural error.
Similarly, Prof. Ibrahim Abdullahi, lead counsel to the 2nd and 3rd defendants, urged the court to provide proper guidance on the matter and concurred with the submissions made by Dr. Usman.
Reacting to the development, Justice Gama expressed surprise over the lapse, saying: “How come they were not properly served? I am surprised.”
The judge subsequently directed that the counsel be properly served with the relevant documents and publicly reprimanded the court registry officials for the apparent oversight.
Thereafter, the duly signed originating processes were served on the counsel, prompting Justice Gama to issue a stern warning against any recurrence of such negligence by court officials.
The matter was then adjourned to June 19, 2026, for hearing, a date that was accepted by counsel to both the plaintiffs and the defendants.
It will be recalled that the court had earlier adjourned the case to May 19, 2026, for the hearing of the suit challenging the leadership of the ADC in Sokoto State.
At the previous sitting, Barrister Matthew Burkaa, SAN, informed the court that there had been a “hijack of power” by the 2nd and 3rd defendants, who were allegedly parading themselves as the chairman and secretary of the party in the state.
“That is the crux of the matter before this court. We are challenging their claim, while our clients maintain that they are the rightful chairman and secretary of the ADC in Sokoto State,” he said.
The plaintiffs’ counsel also filed a motion seeking an abridgement of time within which the defendants could file their defence.
He argued that the request was necessary to ensure that the matter was heard and determined before the ADC primary elections scheduled to commence in the state.
“The motion seeks an abridgement of time so that the case can be heard expeditiously and concluded before the ADC primaries are conducted in Sokoto. This will ensure that the issue of leadership is properly resolved before the primaries,” he submitted.
The court granted the application, noting that time was of the essence, and adjourned the matter to May 19, 2026, for hearing of the substantive suit.
Further explaining the development, the plaintiffs’ second counsel, Barrister Fidelis Mnyim, stated that the court had shortened the time allowed for the defendants to file their processes and fixed May 19, 2026, for the hearing of the substantive matter.
According to Mnyim, the defendants were expected to file their defences within the adjournment period, adding that any necessary replies would also be filed before the next hearing.