The Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed objections filed by African Democratic Congress (ADC) National Chairman, David Mark, and National Secretary, Rauf Aregbesola, against an application by former ADC Deputy National Chairman, Nafiu Gombe, to amend his claims in the party’s ongoing leadership dispute.
Justice Peter Lifu, who delivered the ruling on Friday, described the objections raised by Mark and Aregbesola as frivolous, baseless, and without merit.
The court granted Gombe’s request to amend his originating summons and awarded ₦500,000 in costs against Mark and Aregbesola in favour of the plaintiff.
Justice Lifu held that amendments in civil cases are normal legal procedures aimed at ensuring that a claimant’s case is properly presented and preventing a miscarriage of justice.
The judge noted that Gombe’s request became necessary following a change of legal counsel and ruled that the defendants would not suffer any injustice, as they still had the opportunity to respond to the amended claims.
The court also dismissed concerns that the amendment would prejudice Mark and Aregbesola’s defence, stating that they could file fresh counter-affidavits and make necessary adjustments to their legal documents.
Mark, Aregbesola Had Opposed Amendment
Mark and Aregbesola had challenged Gombe’s move to alter his suit questioning their emergence as national officers of the ADC.
Gombe, through his lawyer Lukman Fagbemi, SAN, argued that the law allowed him to amend his case before judgment was delivered, provided the changes were necessary for a fair determination of the matter.
However, Mark’s counsel, Suleiman Umar, SAN, argued that the parties had already exchanged legal positions and that allowing further amendments would give Gombe an unfair advantage.
Aregbesola’s legal team also opposed the application, claiming that the proposed amendments changed the nature of the original case.
The former Osun governor maintained that the ADC National Executive Committee had lawfully approved changes to the party’s leadership during a meeting held on July 29, 2025, and that due process was followed.
He also alleged that Gombe introduced new documents and claims after reviewing the defendants’ responses, arguing that the move amounted to an abuse of court process.
The court, however, dismissed the objections and allowed the amendment to proceed.
Gombe Challenges ADC Leadership Change
Gombe’s suit seeks to prevent Mark, Aregbesola, and others from presenting themselves as national leaders of the ADC.
The former deputy national chairman named the ADC, Mark, Aregbesola, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and former ADC National Chairman Ralph Nwosu as defendants.
He argued that the process that produced the current ADC leadership violated provisions of the party’s constitution and the Electoral Act.
Following Friday’s ruling, Gombe will now proceed with his amended claims as the broader legal battle over the opposition party’s leadership continues at the Federal High Court.
