The Court of Appeal in Abuja has strongly condemned the actions of Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court, describing his conduct as a blatant disregard for judicial hierarchy after he proceeded with a judgment despite an order from the appellate court.
In a stern ruling delivered by a three-member panel, the appellate court held that Justice Lifu’s actions amounted to an affront to the authority of superior courts and undermined the integrity of the judiciary.
The court stated that the trial judge’s decision to proceed with delivering judgment despite an express order from the Court of Appeal represented “the highest form of judicial impertinence.”
Citing previous pronouncements of the Supreme Court on similar conduct, the appellate court noted that any judge who acts in such a manner “is unfit for the bench as it amounts to judicial rascality.”
The panel emphasized the importance of maintaining respect for the hierarchy of courts, stressing that lower courts are bound by the orders of superior courts.
“Courts are enjoined to protect their integrity. This Court has supervisory authority over the trial court. The decision of the lower court to proceed with the judgment despite the express order of this court is a brazen violation of the hierarchy of the court and the 1999 Constitution,” the court held.
It further stated that it had a duty to ensure compliance with its orders and to preserve the sanctity of judicial authority.
The ruling came as the Court of Appeal granted an application seeking a stay of execution of the Federal High Court judgment that directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deregister the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and four other political parties.
The appellate court consequently ordered INEC not to proceed with the deregistration exercise pending the determination of the substantive appeal filed by the affected parties.
“The application for a stay of execution is hereby granted. The enforcement of the judgment is stayed,” the court ruled.
Justice Lifu had on Monday ordered INEC to deregister the ADC, Accord Party (AP), and three other political parties over alleged failure to meet constitutional requirements for continued registration.
However, the Court of Appeal faulted the lower court’s decision, describing it as a “brazen disregard for the higher court” and reiterating that obedience to judicial orders remains fundamental to the administration of justice