A Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Jibrin Okutepa, who served as lead counsel to Senator David Mark in the leadership dispute over the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for promptly complying with the Supreme Court’s judgment without waiting for formal service.
Okutepa, in a statement posted on his X handle @sanjsokutepa on Friday, said INEC demonstrated respect for the rule of law by restoring the ADC leadership details on its portal immediately after the apex court’s decision.
The Supreme Court, in its ruling delivered on Thursday, allowed in part the appeal filed by Senator David Mark, and set aside the order of the Court of Appeal which had directed parties in the suit to maintain the status quo ante bellum. The apex court held that the appellate court acted beyond its jurisdiction in issuing the order.
The judgment also directed that issues arising from the leadership dispute be returned to the Federal High Court for hearing and determination.
The dispute stems from a suit filed by a former ADC vice chairman, Nafiu Bala, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1819/2025, seeking to restrain the Mark-led executive from presenting themselves as national officers of the party.
The suit listed the ADC, Senator David Mark, National Secretary Rauf Aregbesola, INEC, party founder Ralph Nwosu, and others as defendants.
Following the Supreme Court’s ruling, Okutepa noted that INEC had already updated its portal to reflect the restored leadership structure of the party without awaiting formal notification from the legal team.
He described the action as appropriate and consistent with constitutional governance, stressing that INEC was already represented in court and therefore aware of the outcome.
According to him, the swift compliance reflects a commendable commitment to judicial authority and democratic principles, contrasting it with what he described as widespread disregard for court orders by some institutions in Nigeria.
Okutepa further argued that respect for judicial decisions is essential for national development, warning that disregard for the rule of law undermines governance and public trust.
He also urged INEC to continue to act boldly in safeguarding democratic processes, insisting that prompt compliance with court decisions should become standard practice across public institutions.