An ongoing legal battle involving chieftains of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has taken a dramatic turn, as a party seeking to be joined in the suit, Mr. Nkemakolam Ukandu, has called on the presiding judge, Justice Liman Suleiman, to recuse himself over alleged bias.
In a motion on notice dated March 26, 2026, and filed before the Federal High Court in Abuja, Ukandu argued that he would not receive a fair hearing if Justice Suleiman continues to preside over the matter. He claimed that actions taken so far by the judge indicate elements of partiality.
Ukandu is seeking an order directing that the case file in suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1637/2025 be returned to the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court for reassignment to another judge.
He also requested a stay of further proceedings pending the decision of the Chief Judge, alongside an order compelling Justice Suleiman to withdraw from the case.
Through his counsel, Kalu Kalu Age, Esq., the applicant further contended that the judge allegedly heard and granted an application without proper service of hearing notice or an amendment application on Ukandu’s counsel—an action he argued undermines the court’s jurisdiction.
In a 26-paragraph affidavit personally deposed to, Ukandu accused Justice Suleiman of delivering rulings that favour the interests of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, alleging that such actions are aimed at weakening opposition political parties in Nigeria.
The dispute stems from an earlier suit filed by Hon. Leke Abejide, a member of the House of Representatives, who challenged the process through which Senator David Mark and others assumed leadership of the ADC.
Although Abejide has since been expelled from the party over alleged anti-party activities—including openly supporting President Bola Tinubu’s second-term bid—he has continued to pursue the case in court, alongside other party members such as Ukandu, now the ADC Welfare Secretary.
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