The Federal High Court in Sokoto has adjourned hearing in the leadership case involving the Sokoto State chapter of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, to July 22, 2026.

The court also awarded N500,000 in costs against counsel to the 1st defendant and directed him to reimburse the plaintiff’s counsel for air transportation and other related travel expenses upon presentation of valid receipts.

The ruling followed an application for adjournment filed by counsel to the 1st defendant, Dr. Sulaiman Usman, SAN, and moved by Barrister Salmanu Jabo.

Jabo told the court that his principal was unavoidably absent due to engagements related to the matter and said several defence processes had yet to be served on all parties, particularly the 4th and 5th defendants.

He argued that proceeding with the hearing would violate the principle of fair hearing.

Counsel to the 2nd and 3rd defendants, Prof. Ibrahim Abdullahi, SAN, supported the application, while counsel to the plaintiff, Barrister Mathew Burkaa, SAN, opposed it, arguing that repeated adjournments had delayed the determination of the case.

In his ruling, Justice Ahmad Mahmud Gama held that all parties must first be properly served and given the opportunity to respond before the matter could proceed, noting that failure to do so would undermine the principles of fair hearing.

The judge subsequently granted the application for adjournment, awarded costs against the 1st defendant’s counsel, and fixed July 22, 2026, for further hearing.

Speaking with journalists after the proceedings, Jabo said the adjournment was necessary because some parties had not been served with key court documents.

Eze Chidiebere Paul

Eze Chidiebere Paul

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