The David Mark-led leadership of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, has asked the Federal High Court in Abuja to reverse the decision of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, which derecognised the party’s leadership.

Mark also asked Justice Emeka Nwite to grant an order of mandatory injunction setting aside INEC’s refusal to attend or monitor the ADC’s congresses or convention, pending the hearing and determination of the instant suit.

He equally sought an order of mandatory injunction directing INEC to forthwith restore and maintain the names of all ADC’s National Working Committee (NWC) in its records and portal, prior to the filing of the suit, and pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit.

Recall that INEC had officially removed the names of Mark (National Chairman) and Rauf Aregbesola (National Secretary) of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) from its official portal and website on April 1.

The motion on notice, dated and filed on April 7 was filed by Mark’s new lawyer, Sulaiman Usman, SAN.

The motion by the former Senate President, who is the national chairman of ADC, is in reaction to the March 12 Court of Appeal’s judgment in a suit instituted by Nafiu Bala Gombe before Justice Nwite.

The motion, which sought three reliefs, was brought pursuant to Order 26, Rules 1, 2, 3 and 4 of the Federal High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules, 2019; the inherent jurisdiction of the court and under the equitable jurisdiction of the court to grant injunctive reliefs.

The reliefs sought include; “an order of mandatory injunction, setting aside the decision, act, or directive of the respondent removing the names of the applicant’s National Working Committee from its official portal and the decision of refusal to attend or monitor the applicant’s congresses or convention pending the hearing and determination of the suit.

He sought an order of mandatory injunction, directing INEC to forthwith restore the names of Senator David Mark as National Chairman and Rauf Aregbesola as National Secretary, as well as all members of the National Executive Committee .

He sought an order restraining INEC from tampering with, or otherwise interfering with the said leadership records of the 1st defendant, recognising or giving effect to any contrary or competing claims, pending the final determination of this suit.”

Giving seven-ground argument why the application should be granted, the lawyer submitted that the Court of Appeal, in its ruling delivered on March 12, ordered the parties to maintain the status quo ante bellum.

Usman argued that the “status quo ante bellum” referred to the last lawful, uncontested state of affairs prior to the institution of the suit.

“As at September 2, 2025, when this action was instituted, the 2nd defendant (Senator David Mark) was the recognised National Chairman of the 1st defendant.

“The said leadership structure had already been constituted. The plaintiff had already resigned his prior office and had no subsisting role within the party,” he said.

The lawyer further stated that INEC, acting under a misapprehension of the Court of Appeal order, removed the names of the said leadership from its portal.

He said the electoral umpire then adopted a position of non-recognition and created a vacuum in the leadership structure of ADC.

Usman argued that INEC’s actions were inconsistent with the true meaning of the Court of Appeal order, capable of rendering the subject matter of the suit nugatory and prejudicial to Mark and Aregbesola.

“The law is settled that a mandatory injunction may be granted at an interlocutory stage to restore a party to the position wrongfully altered.

“This is a proper case for the exercise of the equitable jurisdiction of this honourable court,” the senior lawyer submitted.

Also, in another motion on notice dated April 2 but filed April 7 on Mark’s behalf, the lawyer sought an order granting accelerated hearing of the suit.

Usman, who prayed the court for an order abridging the time within which the parties are to file and exchange all processes in the suit, also sought an order directing that the suit be heard on day-to-day basis until its final determination.

On why the case should be given accelerated hearing, the lawyer stated that the suit had raised fundamental issues affecting the leadership structure of the ADC, a registered political party.

He said the subject matter of the suit has far-reaching implications for democratic governance and political participation.

According to him, the Court of Appeal has already directed that the matter be heard expeditiously.

He said the present uncertainty surrounding the leadership of the ADC is affecting its internal administration, impeding its participation in political activities and creating avoidable institutional confusion.

Usman further stated that the continued pendency of the suit is capable of rendering the subject matter nugatory, encouraging parallel structures and conflicting claims.

The lawyer, who said that the court has the power to accelerate proceedings in deserving cases, said it is in the interest of justice to determine the matter without delay.

It will be recalled that Justice Nwite had, on September 4, 2025, declined to grant an application seeking to stop Mark-led leadership of the ADC, pending the hearing of the substantive suit.

The judge had refused the three prayers sought in an ex-parte motion filed by Nafiu Bala Gombe, a former Deputy National Chairman of ADC, and moved by his lawyer, Michael Agber.

Rather, the judge had directed Gombe, the plaintiff in the suit, to put all the defendants on notice to show cause why the motion should not be granted.

The judge then adjourned the matter til September. 15 2025, for the defendants to show cause.

However, the Mark-led ADC, approached the Appeal Court to challenge the lower court’s jurisdictional power to hear the suit and the appellate court ordered the parties to go back to the trial court and maintained status quo ante bellum pending the determination of the case.

Gombe, in the suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/1819/2025, had sued ADC, Mark, Aregbesola, INEC and Chief Ralph Nwosu as 1st to 5th defendants respectively.

Nwosu was the former ADC national chairman who stepped down for David Mark leadership.

The African Democratic Congress (ADC), led by Senator David Mark, has approached the Federal High Court in Abuja to challenge the decision of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to remove its top officials from official records.

The case followed INEC’s deletion of the names of David Mark as National Chairman and Rauf Aregbesola as National Secretary from its portal on April 1.

In a motion filed on April 7, Mark, through his lawyer, Sulaiman Usman (SAN), asked the court to order INEC to restore the names of the party’s National Working Committee members as they were before the dispute.

Part of the request reads, “An order of mandatory injunction, setting aside the decision, act, or directive of the respondent removing the names of the applicant’s National Working Committee from its official portal.”

The group also asked the court to compel INEC to recognise and maintain the names of Mark and Aregbesola, along with other members of the National Executive Committee.

In addition, they want the court to restrain INEC from interfering with the party’s leadership records or recognising any rival claims until the case is determined.

The legal action follows a Court of Appeal judgment on March 12 in a related dispute involving a former deputy national chairman of the party, Nafiu Gombe.

Usman argued that the appellate court had directed all parties to maintain the status quo pending the resolution of the dispute.

He said, “As of Sept. 2, 2025, when this action was instituted, the 2nd defendant (Senator David Mark) was the recognised national chairman.”

He accused INEC of misinterpreting the court’s ruling by removing the names, saying the move created confusion within the party.

According to him, “The law is settled that a mandatory injunction may be granted… to restore a party to the position wrongfully altered.”

The lawyer also asked for an expedited hearing of the case, warning that the ongoing leadership crisis is affecting the party’s activities and could lead to parallel structures.

He said, “The continued pendency of the suit is capable of rendering the subject matter nugatory.”

Court records show the dispute began in September 2025 when Gombe filed a suit challenging the party’s leadership.

The trial court later ordered all parties to respond, while the Court of Appeal directed that the status quo be maintained.

Fulham are intensifying efforts to sign Samuel Chukwueze on a permanent transfer, DAILY POST reports.

Chukwueze arrived the Craven Cottage on season-long loan from Serie A giants AC Milan last summer.

The tricky winger has impressed head coach Marco Silva, who now want him to stay permanently at the club.

According to Gazzetta dello Sport, Fulham are preparing €24 million deal to activate the purchase option in the Nigeria international’s contract.

Chukwueze has registered three goals, and four assists in 17 league appearances for the Whites this season.

He has two years remaining on his contract with Fulham.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has uncovered an alleged internet fraud training centre, commonly referred to as a Yahoo academy in Abuja, leading to the arrest of 31 suspects.

The operation, carried out on Thursday, April 9, 2026, took place at Becki Estate in Karu, within the Federal Capital Territory, following what the agency described as a sting operation.

According to details shared on the official page of the commission, the suspects said to include two key operators and several trainees, were arrested while undergoing what appeared to be organised cyber fraud tutorials.

The agency said items recovered during the raid include multiple mobile phones, 18 laptops and other digital devices believed to have been used for fraudulent activities.

It further noted that findings by the commission showed some of the recruits were allegedly lured from Benue State with promises of legitimate job opportunities, only to be introduced into internet fraud upon arrival.

“They were handed communication devices, computers and software, setting the stage for their training in cyber fraud,” the commission stated.

Further details revealed that the recruits were reportedly confined within the facility, with their movements restricted and personal phones taken from them, effectively cutting them off from the outside world.

The anti-graft agency also disclosed that strict control measures were enforced within the centre, including alleged physical punishment for those who failed to comply with instructions.

The commission noted that the suspects remain in custody and will be charged to court upon the conclusion of ongoing investigations.

Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke is under intense pressure to take decisive action on the Apetu stool due to mounting concerns over a prolonged vacuum in the traditional leadership in Ipetumodu town.

Community stakeholders, including kingmakers and representatives of two ruling houses, said the absence of a monarch has begun to affect traditional, administrative and territorial stability in the town.

The groups, drawn from the Aribile and Fagbemokun ruling houses, made their position known during a press conference held in Ipetumodu on Thursday.

They urged the state government to formally declare the stool vacant and commence the selection process for a new traditional ruler within seven days.

At the centre of the dispute is the continued recognition of Oba Joseph Oloyede, who is currently serving a prison sentence in the United States of America following a fraud conviction.

The monarch was sentenced on August 26, 2025, by Christopher A. Boyko to 56 months’ imprisonment after being found guilty of participating in a conspiracy linked to COVID-19 relief funds.

According to authorities in the United States, “the scheme involved exploiting emergency loan programmes intended to support small businesses during the pandemic.”

Court documents indicated that assets linked to the proceeds of the crime, including a residential property in Medina, Ohio, and over $96,000, were forfeited.

In addition to the prison term, the monarch was ordered to pay restitution exceeding $4.4 million and to serve a period of supervised release upon completion of his sentence.

Despite these developments, community leaders said the delay in officially declaring the stool vacant has created uncertainty and weakened traditional authority structures in Ipetumodu.

Speaking for the ruling houses, Prince Dele Oyebade stated that “all required legal documentation, including the Certified True Copy of the judgment, had been submitted to the state government.”

He said, “The documents have been made available, yet no action has followed. This delay is causing avoidable tension within the community.”

Oyebade also suggested that the governor may not have received complete information about the matter from the lawmaker representing Ife North State Constituency, Akinyode Oyewusi.

He added, “All actions capable of delaying justice in this matter must cease immediately to preserve the integrity of the institution.”

Another community representative, Prince Olaboye Ayoola, linked emerging local challenges to the absence of a recognised monarch, noting increased disputes and administrative gaps.

Ayoola said, “We are giving the government seven days to respond. The town cannot continue without leadership, as this situation is already affecting our land and traditions.”

He explained that neighbouring communities were taking advantage of the vacuum to encroach on disputed areas, while essential cultural rites remained suspended.

On behalf of the traditional council, the Aresa of Ipetumodu, Chief Lawrence Odewale, called for urgent intervention, including the appointment of warrant chiefs to support the selection of a new monarch.

He said, “Declaring the stool vacant is necessary to restore order and enable the kingmakers to carry out their responsibilities without further delay.”