By Ankeli Emmanuel, Sokoto
The Federal High Court sitting in Sokoto on Thursday adjourned until 19 June 2026 for further hearing in the ongoing leadership dispute involving the state chapter of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
A visibly agitated judge, Justice Ahmad Gama Mahmud, said the adjournment was necessary in the interest of justice and court procedure.
At the resumed hearing, counsel to the first defendant, Dr Sulaiman Usman, SAN, filed a motion arguing that his team should be served with proper and signed originating processes. He contended that receiving an unsigned copy from the registry constituted a procedural lapse that must be corrected.
“What has happened is a clear procedural error, and we therefore appeal that the right thing be done to enable us respond appropriately to the originating process,” Dr Usman submitted.
In response, Justice Mahmud summoned the court registry to inquire into the error. He accepted the registry’s explanation and ordered that a signed copy be served on the first defendant’s counsel.
Lead counsel to the plaintiffs, Barrister Mathew Burkaa, SAN, agreed with Dr Usman’s position and raised no objection to an adjournment.
Similarly, lead counsel to the second and third defendants urged the court to provide proper guidance, adding that the procedural error raised by Dr Usman was germane and should be considered as such.
Consequently, Justice Mahmud ordered that a duly signed copy of the originating process be served on Dr Usman in court, which he accepted in the interest of justice. The judge then adjourned the case to 19 June 2026 for continuation of hearing, allowing the defendant time to respond appropriately.
Recall that one faction of the Sokoto State ADC had filed a suit challenging the legality of the party’s leadership structure in the state. The aggrieved members alleged a hijack of power from the original office holders, resulting in what they described as an unacceptable party structure.