Appeal Court Nullifies Federal High Court Judgment Ordering Deregistration of ZLP, 4 Others

By: Monday Danladi, Bauchi

The Court of Appeal, on Tuesday, in a landmark judgement that will shape the 2027 general elections, set aside, judgement of the Federal High Court, that directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deregister five political parties, including the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP).

The other parties affected by the now-nullified judgment are the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Accord Party (AP), Action Alliance (AA) and Action Peoples Party (APP).

In a unanimous decision delivered by a three-member panel led by Justice Abba Mohammed, the appellate court declared the Federal High Court’s judgment null and void, describing it as a legal nullity.

The court held that the trial court lacked the jurisdiction to entertain the suit and criticized its decision to proceed with the delivery of judgment despite an existing Court of Appeal order staying further proceedings, including the delivery of judgment.

The appellate court further ruled that the plaintiff lacked the legal standing (locus standi) to institute the action, making the entire proceedings incompetent.

“Consequently, the Court of Appeal overturned the Federal High Court’s judgment, effectively restoring the legal status of the five affected political parties.”