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According to report by Vanguard on Friday, June 19, 2026, the leadership dispute within the Sokoto State chapter of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) took a new turn on Friday as the Federal High Court sitting in Sokoto adjourned the matter to July 13, 2026, for a full substantive hearing.
This followed the court’s consideration and ruling on several preliminary applications filed by parties involved in the case.
The suit, which stems from an ongoing internal struggle over the party’s leadership structure in the state, was heard before Justice Ahmad Mahmud Gama.
The judge had earlier fixed June 4 for hearing, but the matter was subsequently shifted to June 19, when extensive legal arguments were presented by counsel representing the parties.
During Friday’s proceedings, which lasted several hours, the court delivered rulings on three interlocutory applications filed on behalf of the first defendant.
According to lead counsel, Barrister Sulaiman Usman, SAN, the applications included a request for extension of time, a challenge concerning the mode of commencement of the suit, and a motion seeking further and better particulars of the plaintiff’s allegations.
Usman explained that the application for extension of time was granted by the court.
However, the motion questioning the originating process was dismissed after the judge held that deciding it at that stage would amount to determining substantive issues already tied to the main suit. The court therefore declined to grant that request.
On the third application, the defence team succeeded, as the court ordered the plaintiff to provide additional details supporting the allegations made in the suit.
Usman argued that several claims in the originating documents lacked sufficient particulars, making it difficult for the defence to respond properly.
The court directed the plaintiff to supply the required details within seven days, while the defendants were given three days thereafter to respond, with a possible additional two days for any new issues.
Counsel to the plaintiff, Barrister Mathew Burkaa, SAN, said they would comply with the court’s order.
Counsel to the second and third defendants, Barrister Shamsudeen A. Dauda, also expressed satisfaction with the ruling, particularly the directive for further particulars.
The case will resume on July 13, when substantive hearing is expected to begin in the closely watched political dispute.
