The Court of Appeal in Abuja has set aside a Federal High Court judgment that directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deregister five political parties, including the African Democratic Congress.

A three-member panel of the appellate court led by Justice Abba Mohammed ruled that the lower court lacked the jurisdiction to hear the case and declared its judgment a nullity, holding that the suit was filed by a non-juristic entity, making it incompetent from the outset.

The appellate court also found that the Federal High Court failed to properly evaluate evidence showing that the affected political parties had won elective seats in previous elections, and further ruled that the lower court proceeded with the case despite an existing order directing it to stay proceedings pending the determination of an interlocutory appeal.

The Court of Appeal therefore allowed the separate appeals filed by the affected political parties, restored their registrations, and awarded costs against the National Forum of Former Legislators, which instituted the suit. The parties affected by the ruling are the African Democratic Congress, Action Peoples Party, Action Alliance, Accord Party, and Zenith Labour Party.