The Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned until June 30 a lawsuit seeking to prevent former Senate President David Mark and other officials from presenting themselves as leaders of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

The case was brought by Nafiu-Bala Gombe, who is challenging the legitimacy of the party’s current interim leadership structure. The matter came up on Tuesday for the hearing of pending applications before Justice Peter Lifu.

At the commencement of proceedings, legal representatives for most parties were present in court. However, counsel to David Mark, Suleiman Usman, was absent when the case was initially called.

In response, Justice Lifu, with the consent of lawyers representing the other parties, stood down the matter for approximately 15 minutes to allow Mark’s counsel an opportunity to appear before the court. After hearing another case, the court eventually postponed proceedings and directed parties to take a fresh date for further hearing.

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The legal battle stems from a challenge to the leadership arrangement within the ADC. Gombe is asking the court to restrain David Mark, former Rauf Aregbesola, and members of the party’s interim National Working Committee from acting or presenting themselves as the legitimate leaders of the party.

According to the plaintiff, their emergence allegedly violated provisions of the ADC constitution as well as relevant sections of Nigeria’s Electoral Act. He is therefore seeking judicial intervention to invalidate their leadership positions pending the determination of the substantive suit.

The case, filed under suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/1819/2025, lists the ADC, David Mark, Rauf Aregbesola, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and former ADC National Chairman Ralph Nwosu as defendants.

The latest adjournment follows a ruling delivered on June 16, when Justice Lifu dismissed applications filed by the ADC and Aregbesola seeking his recusal from the matter on grounds of alleged bias.

The court held that the applications lacked merit and consequently imposed costs of ₦1 million each against the ADC and Aregbesola in favour of the plaintiff.

That ruling cleared the way for the court to continue hearing the substantive dispute regarding the party’s leadership structure.

With the matter now adjourned to June 30, attention will focus on whether the court will entertain arguments on the legality of the interim leadership arrangement and determine whether the challenged officials can continue acting in their current capacities while the suit remains pending.