A Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Jibrin Okutepa, has commended the Independent National Electoral Commission for restoring the leadership of the African Democratic Congress on its portal following the Supreme Court judgment on the party’s leadership dispute.
Okutepa, who was lead counsel to former Senate President, David Mark, at the apex court, praised the commission for acting without waiting to be formally served with the judgment.
In a statement shared on his X handle on Friday, the senior lawyer said the action demonstrated respect for the rule of law.
“I am a legal practitioner. I am not a registered member of any political party in Nigeria. I am equally not an employee of any government. I owe no allegiance to anybody except the truth, justice, and the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“I was the lead counsel to Sen. David Mark at the Supreme Court in the judgment delivered yesterday (Thursday).
“When I checked the INEC portal, it was clear that INEC, without prompting, has restored the leadership of the ADC to its portal,” he stated.
The Supreme Court on Thursday set aside the “status quo ante bellum” order earlier issued by the Court of Appeal in the leadership tussle within the ADC, holding that the appellate court acted without jurisdiction.
The apex court also directed Mark to return to the Federal High Court for the hearing and determination of issues arising from the dispute.
The crisis stemmed from a suit filed by a former National Vice Chairman of the party, Nafiu Bala, who sought to restrain the Mark-led leadership from parading themselves as national officers of the ADC.
In the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1819/2025, Bala listed the ADC, Mark, the party’s National Secretary, Rauf Aregbesola, the electoral commission, and the party’s founder, Ralph Nwosu, as defendants.
Explaining the implication of the apex court ruling, Okutepa said, “The decision of the Supreme Court yesterday was clear. The appeal of Sen. David Mark was allowed in part.
“The order of the Court of Appeal for ‘maintenance of status quo ante bellum’ was held to have been made without jurisdiction and was accordingly set aside.
“It was the order of the Court of Appeal that INEC said it acted upon when it removed Sen. David Mark and his exco from its portal.”
He added that the commission acted appropriately by restoring the leadership without delay.
“INEC, as a corporate entity, has accorded respect to the decision of the Supreme Court without pretending that it was yet to be formally served with the judgment. That is the right thing to do in the circumstances.
“INEC was represented in the Supreme Court. The prompt restoration of the leadership of ADC to the INEC portal is commendable. That is how it should be under the rule of law,” he said.
Okutepa further criticised what he described as a pattern of disregard for court orders among public institutions and officials.
“Too many in power have no respect for courts and court orders. In most cases, impunity reigns supreme in our land. Even within the legal profession, court processes and orders are disregarded for personal benefit and in abuse of power.
“Today, many in privileged positions abuse their powers against the people and the society they are meant to serve by disrespecting judgments and court orders. Examples are legion,” he said.
He, however, urged the commission to remain steadfast in protecting democracy.
“On this particular occasion, I must commend INEC for the prompt restoration of the ADC leadership on its portal without waiting for letters from the legal team of Sen. David Mark.
