From Umar Danladi Ado, Sokoto
The Federal High Court sitting in Sokoto on Monday adjourned the case involving the Sokoto State chapter of the African Democratic Congress to June 4, 2026, for continuation of hearing as the leadership dispute within the party persists.
The court, presided over by Justice Ahmad Gama Mahmud, held that it was necessary to ensure that all parties were duly served with the relevant court processes and given adequate opportunity to respond in the interest of fair hearing.
Justice Mahmud noted that the adjournment also became necessary due to the forthcoming Sallah celebrations, stressing the importance of fairness “more than any other consideration.”
Lead counsel to the 2nd and 3rd defendants, Prof. Abdullahi Ibrahim, SAN, who requested the adjournment, informed the court that the 1st, 4th and 5th defendants had not been served with the processes filed by his clients.
He further told the court that motions had been filed, including one challenging the ex parte order granted on May 8, 2026.
According to him, the order abridged the time within which the defendants were required to respond to seven days.
“The order granted abridged the time for the defendants to file their appearances to seven days, and we are also challenging the suit,” he said.
Prof. Ibrahim argued that fair hearing must be upheld, adding that “justice rushed is justice crushed.”
Counsel to the plaintiffs, Barrister Matthew Burkaa, SAN, did not oppose the need for the defendants to respond to the processes, although he initially objected to the request for adjournment.
Also, holding brief for counsel to the 1st defendant, Barrister Suleiman Usman, SAN, Barrister A.A. Jabo aligned with the submissions for adjournment.
All parties subsequently agreed on June 4, 2026, as the next date for continuation of hearing.
Our correspondent recalls that the court had earlier, on Friday, May 8, 2026, adjourned the matter to May 19, 2026, for hearing of a suit challenging the leadership of the party in the state.
The plaintiffs, through their counsel, Barrister Matthew Burkaa, SAN, had alleged a “hijack of power” by the 2nd and 3rd defendants, who claim to be the Chairman and Secretary of the party’s Sokoto State chapter.
He argued that his clients are the legitimate Chairman and Secretary of the African Democratic Congress in the state.
The plaintiffs had also sought an abridgement of time to enable an accelerated hearing before the party’s primaries scheduled to begin on May 21, 2026.
The court had granted the application, stating that time was of the essence, and adjourned the matter to May 19, 2026, for hearing.
However, with the latest developments, the matter will now continue on June 4, 2026, as both parties prepare for further legal arguments over the party’s leadership in Sokoto State.
