By Ankeli Emmanuel, Sokoto
The Federal High Court siting in Sokoto Tuesday adjourned to 4th June, 2026 for continuation of hearing in the ongoing leadership tussle rocking the State chapter of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Giving reasons for the adjournment, the presiding Judge, Justice Ahmad Gama Mahmud, submitted that it will be ideal for proper service on all parties so as to allow them the opportunity of responding adequately in the interest of justice.
According to Justice Mahmud, the adjounment has also become necessary in view of the forthcoming Sallah celebrations and the need for fair hearing.
Addressing the Court, Lead Counsel for the 2nd and 3rd defendants, Prof. Abdullahi Ibrahim, SAN, appealed for an adjournment saying boh the 1st, 4th and 5th defendants were not served with the processes filed by the 2nd and 3rd defendants.
Prof. Abdullahi further stressed that, the Counsel for the 2nd and 3rd defendants equally have processes being filed in the Court including a motion challenging the ex-parte order granted by the Court on 8th May, 2026.
“The order, which was granted, abridged the time for the defendants to file their appearances to seven days, while the counsel is also challenging the suit. Justice rushed, is justified crushed, so, the issue of fair hearing must be maintained”, Prof. Abdullahi noted.
The Lead Counsel for the Plaintiffs, Barrister Matthew Burkaa, SAN, also concurred that the defendants need to respond to the processes filed in spite of his initial objection to the request for the adjounment.
Holding brief for the Counsel for the 1st defendant, Barrister Suleiman Usman, SAN, Barrister A. A. Jabo, also aligned with all the submissions of Prof. Abdullahi Ibrahim, SAN.
Bearing this in mind, all Counsels in the matter agreed on the next adjourned date of 4th June, 2026, for the legal battle to continue.
It will be recalled that the same Federal High Court had on Friday, 8th May, 2026, adjourned to May 19, 2026, for the hearing of the suit challenging the leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in the state.
The Lead Counsel to the plaintiffs, Barrister Mathew Burkaa, SAN, told the Court that there was a “hijack of power” by the second and third defendants who are allegedly claiming to be the Chairman and Secretary of the party’s Sokoto State Chapter.
