The leadership dispute rocking the Sokoto State chapter of the African Democratic Congress has taken another turn as the Federal High Court sitting in Sokoto adjourned the matter until July 13, 2026, for substantive hearing.
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The case, which centres on the lingering leadership tussle within the opposition party, came up on Friday before Justice Ahmad Mahmud Gama, who had earlier adjourned the matter from June 4 to June 19 for hearing.
Proceedings on Friday lasted several hours, with parties canvassing arguments on a number of interlocutory applications filed in the suit.
At the end of the proceedings, the court delivered rulings on three separate applications brought by counsel to the first defendant.
Speaking with journalists after the court session, lead counsel to the first defendant, Barrister Sulaiman Usman, SAN, said the applications bordered on extension of time, issues relating to the mode of commencement of the suit, and a request compelling the plaintiff to provide further particulars in support of allegations contained in the court processes.
According to him, the first application, which sought extension of time, was granted during the morning session.
Usman said the remaining applications were determined after the court stood down for about four hours to consider the submissions of counsel.
“There were three applications before the court. The first was a housekeeping application for extension of time, which was granted earlier in the day,” Usman said.
He explained that the second application challenged issues relating to the originating process.
“On the second issue, which related to the originating process, the court considered arguments from both sides. Although we sought to distinguish existing judicial authorities, particularly the Supreme Court decision in the case involving the Government of Kano State and the EFCC, the court held that making a determination at this stage could amount to deciding substantive issues already embedded in the main suit,” he said.
He stated that the court consequently declined the request and dismissed the motion.
The senior advocate, however, expressed satisfaction with the ruling on the third application, which sought an order directing the plaintiff to provide additional details regarding some allegations made in the suit.
“We were able to demonstrate paragraph by paragraph that certain allegations lacked sufficient particulars to enable us properly understand the case against us and prepare an adequate response,” he said.
“Where facts are alleged without adequate particulars, the interest of justice requires that those details be supplied. The court agreed with our position and ordered the plaintiff to furnish the required particulars within seven days.”
Usman added that the defendants would have three days after receiving the particulars to file their response, while the plaintiff would be entitled to an additional two days if any fresh issues arise.
“The application was granted substantially as prayed, and the matter has now been adjourned to July 13 for hearing,” he said.
He commended the court for what he described as a fair and balanced ruling.
“I am grateful to the court for the ruling,” he added.
On his part, lead counsel to the plaintiff, Barrister Mathew Burkaa, SAN, welcomed the ruling and pledged to comply with the directive of the court.
“We are grateful for the ruling and will comply fully by providing the further particulars ordered by the court,” Burkaa said.
Counsel to the second and third defendants, Barrister Shamsudeen A. Dauda, also expressed satisfaction with the court’s decision, particularly the order directing the plaintiff to furnish additional particulars.
The adjournment means that parties in the intra-party dispute will return to court on July 13, when substantive proceedings are expected to commence.
Political observers say the case could have implications for the future leadership structure of the ADC in Sokoto State.
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