Court Case Against David Mark’s ADC Leadership Suffers Setback

A legal challenge seeking to stop former Senate President David Mark and ex-Interior Minister Rauf Aregbesola from assuming leadership positions in the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has suffered a setback at the Federal High Court in Abuja.

The case, filed by former ADC Deputy National Chairman Nafiu-Bala Gombe, was stalled on Monday due to improper service of court papers on the defendants.

Justice Emeka Nwite, who presided over the matter, ruled that the suit could not proceed because David Mark, Aregbesola, and Chief Ralph Nwosu had not been personally served as required by law. Counsel to the plaintiff, Michael Agber, initially claimed that all processes had been duly served through the party. However, after reviewing the court file, Justice Nwite found no proof of service and faulted the method used.

The judge explained that valid service required either personal delivery to the defendants or an order permitting substituted service, which had not been obtained. Following the clarification, Agber admitted errors in the process and sought an adjournment to rectify the lapses.

In the proceedings, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was served in open court on the judge’s directive. Meanwhile, ADC’s lawyer, Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Shuaib Eneojoh Aruwa, argued that the party had not been properly served in accordance with legal procedures.

Justice Nwite adjourned the matter to September 30, 2025, for hearing.

The suit stems from Gombe’s opposition to the takeover of the party’s leadership by Mark and others. He is asking the court to restrain them from acting as ADC leaders pending determination of his substantive case.