The Federal High Court in Abuja has issued a stern warning that it may dismiss a lawsuit filed by Nkemakolam Ukandu, a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), against the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho, and Justice Peter Lifu. The lawsuit, which accuses the judicial officers of bias and disobedience to court orders, faces potential dismissal for want of diligent prosecution following the failure of both Ukandu and his legal representative to appear in court.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

• Failed Court Appearance: During the proceedings on Tuesday, counsel for the defendants, J.U.K. Igwe (SAN), noted that neither the plaintiff nor his lawyer was present, marking the second consecutive absence since June 22.

• Legal Challenges: The defense reported that they have been unable to serve legal documents to the plaintiff, as the address provided for his counsel at No. 4 Oyo Street, Garki Area 2, Abuja, could not be found.

• Court Order on Service: Justice Salim Ibrahim granted a motion for substituted service, directing that court processes be pasted at the gate of the provided address. The judge declined to strike out the case immediately, opting to provide the plaintiff another opportunity in the interest of fair hearing.

• Background of the Suit: The dispute is linked to an internal leadership crisis within the ADC. Ukandu, the party’s National Welfare Secretary, alleges that Justice Tsoho and Justice Lifu acted with bias and violated court orders regarding the reassignment of a case concerning the party’s leadership.

The court has adjourned the matter until July 6 for further hearing.

In a strategic effort to address internal conflicts ahead of the 2027 general elections, governors from the All Progressives Congress (APC) recently held a meeting with the party’s National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda. Organized by the Progressive Governors’ Forum (PGF), the session sought to resolve issues following controversies from the party’s nationwide primaries.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Imo State Governor and PGF Chairman, Hope Uzodimma, provided details on the meeting’s proceedings:

• The governors evaluated the results of the primaries held in May, as well as the party’s performance in the Ekiti governorship race and various bye-elections.

• The May primaries were reportedly hampered by allegations of voting irregularities, the manipulation of delegate lists, and the forced imposition of candidates.

• These controversies caused significant tension, forcing the national leadership to postpone the release of the final candidate list to address various grievances.

• The forum committed to ongoing collaboration with national leadership to harmonize political strategies, reconcile disgruntled members, and unify the party.

• Governor Uzodimma expressed satisfaction with the party’s recent electoral performance, noting it as a positive sign leading into the 2027 polls.

• Beyond election planning, the governors discussed broader governance and democratic development to ensure that APC-led administrations continue to benefit the public.

The meeting was attended by governors from several states, including Lagos, Sokoto, Kano, Kaduna, Borno, Kebbi, Gombe, Akwa Ibom, Taraba, Zamfara, and Ekiti.

The Court of Appeal, Ibadan Division, has issued a directive ordering the University of Ibadan and nine other parties to immediately pursue a settlement with student Kayode Bello regarding a long-running dispute over his withheld master’s degree.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The order was detailed in a document dated June 29, 2026, signed by the Court of Appeal’s Deputy Chief Registrar (DCR), Maryam Belgore Ahmed, and sent to the university’s registrar. This follows the university’s decision to block Mr. Bello’s access to his student portal, preventing his graduation despite a previous Federal High Court ruling that ordered the university to reopen the portal and allow him to graduate.

Key developments in the case include:

• Court Mandate: During proceedings on June 29, 2026, a three-judge panel led by Justice Abraham George rejected further academic gridlock and ordered both parties to meet with the DCR to negotiate an out-of-court settlement.

• Strict Deadline: The court imposed a 48-hour deadline, requiring the parties to meet on or before July 1, 2026.

• Scheduled Mediation: The meeting is set for July 1, 2026, at 2:00 PM in the office of the Deputy Chief Registrar at the Court of Appeal complex in Ibadan.

• Next Steps: The appellate court has adjourned until July 3, 2026, to receive a report on the settlement; if no agreement is reached, the court plans to proceed with hearing pending applications.

In a separate matter, the Federal High Court in Ibadan recently ruled against the University of Ibadan, setting aside the suspension of three students who had protested against tuition fee hikes, citing a violation of their right to a fair hearing.