ADC Dispute: All I Know Is That Lifu Is A Judge Of Federal High Court, He Has Given A Judgement—SAN

Oba Maduabuchi, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), has said he cannot determine whether Justice Peter O. Lifu was right or wrong in his judgment concerning the African Democratic Congress (ADC) leadership dispute without first reading the full judgment. Maduabuchi made this statement during an interview on Arise Television on Friday, November 6, 2026.

During the interview, the senior advocate addressed differing opinions about the judgment, particularly comments made by legal scholar and former chairman of the National Human Rights Commission, Chidi Odinkalu.

Maduabuchi maintained that he preferred to discuss legal issues professionally rather than make personal remarks about individuals, adding that Odinkalu was entitled to his opinion just as he was entitled to his own position. He said, “You have noted that I hardly go personal. I simply discuss the law. Chidi Odinkalu is entitled to his opinion. I am entitled to mine.”

The SAN further explained that he had not read the judgment delivered by Justice Lifu and, therefore, was not in a position to determine whether the judge’s decision was legally correct or otherwise. He stated, “As far as I am concerned, I have not seen the judgment. If I read the judgment, I will tell you whether Lifu is right or wrong.”

Maduabuchi also noted that the only information he could confirm at the time was that Justice Lifu was a judge of the Federal High Court and had delivered a judgment in the matter. He said, “As it is now, all I know is that Lifu is a judge of the Federal High Court. He has given a judgment.”

Advising the ADC on the next legal steps, the senior advocate said the party should approach the appellate court if it was dissatisfied with the decision rather than resorting to continuous criticism of the judiciary. He stated, “And if the ADC is not satisfied with it, move ahead and go on appeal.”

Maduabuchi also criticised what he described as the tendency to quickly question judges whenever court decisions do not favour a particular party, urging greater attention to the legal processes available for challenging judicial decisions. He asked, “People have this tendency. Any little thing they say, the judges have been. Why did ADC allow that matter to last till now?”

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