The crisis rocking the African Democratic Congress (ADC) took a dramatic turn on Thursday as the party initiated legal action against the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho among others over allegations of judicial bias, abuse of powers, and disobedience of court orders.

Listed as defendants in the suit marked FCT/ABJ/CS/1165/2026 are National Judicial Council (NJC) Hon Justice John Tshoho and Hon Justice Peter Lifu.

The suit, filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja by ADC National Welfare Secretary, Nkemakolam Ukandu, seeks to compel the National Judicial Council (NJC) to investigate allegations of corruption, abuse of judicial authority, and manifest bias against the two judicial officers.

Ukandu, who is seeking to be joined in an ongoing suit challenging the Senator David Mark-led leadership of the ADC, accused Justice Tsoho of improperly reassigning the case from Justice Emeka Nwite to Justice Peter Lifu despite a Supreme Court directive remitting the matter back to Justice Nwite for the determination of pending jurisdictional issues.

According to the plaintiff, the reassignment violated both the Supreme Court’s order and subsequent directives issued by Justice Nwite, who had adjourned proceedings pending the resolution of issues surrounding the transfer request.

In the suit Ukandu further alleged that Justice Lifu proceeded to entertain the matter despite being aware of existing court orders and pending objections regarding the reassignment.

He claimed that the ADC had earlier raised concerns over alleged plans to transfer the case to a judge perceived to be favourable to the opposing party and argued that those fears had now materialised.

The plaintiff also referenced public allegations made against the judicial officers, claiming they had created a reasonable apprehension that justice may not be served in the dispute involving the party’s leadership.

Among the reliefs sought, Ukandu is asking the court to declare that it is the constitutional responsibility of the NJC to investigate complaints against judicial officers and impose appropriate sanctions where necessary.

He is also seeking an order compelling the NJC to investigate the allegations against Justice Tsoho and Justice Lifu, as well as an injunction restraining Justice Lifu from further presiding over the leadership dispute pending the outcome of the petition before the NJC.

Additionally, the plaintiff wants the court to order Justice Lifu to recuse himself from the matter on grounds of alleged bias and abuse of judicial powers.