The African Democratic Congress has raised concerns over moves by lawyers to Nafiu Bala Gombe seeking the reassignment and transfer of his suit against the David Mark-led National Working Committee, describing the development as a calculated attempt to manipulate the judiciary.
In a statement issued on Friday and signed by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the party said it found it “curious, if not outright laughable” that a plaintiff seeking justice would attempt to avoid the speedy hearing of his own case.
According to the ADC, the request by Nafiu Bala for the case to be reassigned to another judge validates its long-standing fears that certain political interests were attempting to influence judicial proceedings in the matter.
“The African Democratic Congress would like to reiterate our fears that some agents of the Federal Government are making frantic efforts to manipulate the judiciary by switching the judge in the leadership matter involving Nafiu Bala,” the statement said.
The party alleged that the request for reassignment was part of a broader political scheme allegedly coordinated by unnamed federal actors determined to secure a favourable judicial outcome.
“Having received the letter written by Bala requesting the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court to reassign the case to another judge, it has now been proven beyond all reasonable doubt that the sinister plot allegedly led by a notorious federal minister is indeed afoot,” the statement added.
The opposition party further accused Bala and his supporters of attempting to turn the judiciary into “a shopping mall where you pick and choose judges suitable for your political schemes.”
“You cannot file a case and then begin to dictate which judge should hear it simply because proceedings are not going your way. No litigant has the right to choose a judge in his own matter,” the ADC stated.
The party also questioned the attempt to seek what it described as an indefinite adjournment despite previous directives from both the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court calling for an accelerated hearing of the matter.
According to the ADC, the development raises concerns about whether lower courts would comply fully with the decisions and directives of superior courts.
“Instead of allowing the matter to proceed expeditiously, as any aggrieved plaintiff genuinely seeking justice would, Bala and his handlers are looking for ways to stall the case until they are able to find a judge willing to do their bidding and pervert the course of justice,” the statement said.
The party maintained that political interference and attempts to influence judicial processes were eroding public confidence in the judiciary and bringing the institution into disrepute.
While reaffirming its commitment to the rule of law, the ADC warned against what it described as judicial intimidation and forum shopping.
“We want to state clearly that the ADC will continue to stand by the rule of law. But the rule of law must not be replaced with judicial intimidation or forum shopping,” the statement concluded.
“The courts must remain independent, and judicial officers must be allowed to do their work without political interference or orchestrated campaigns designed to influence proceedings.”
ADC Alleges Judicial Manipulation Over Move to Reassign Leadership Suit
