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The Enigma Called Chief Deinde Fernandez

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5 years ago

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By Michael Effiong
Born to Mr Camut Akinwale and Mrs Juliana Francis, Chief Ambassador Antonio Diende Fernandez’s love for his culture and tradition was unmistakable. Little wonder he held the traditional title of Apesin Ola (inije Onimu) of Egbaland.
In an article for Ovation International Magazine, a sister publication of The Boss, Kunle Bakare described him thus “Renowned and well-known round the globe, tall, dark and refined man of commerce is an embodiment of good form, surrounding himself with exquisite things money alone cannot buy.
The Peninsula- The Private island of Chief Fernandez
The Peninsula: Private Island of Chief Fernandez
“With his eyes for details and uncommon panache, Ambassador Deinde Fernandez towers anywhere. Romaticised by most Nigeria’s richest men and women, his is the icing on the elaborately decorated multi-tier cake.
Bashorun Dele Momodu with Chief Fernandez and wife, Aduke
“Holy Cross, Lagos was where he began his education. He moved on to CMS Grammar School, Bariga and St Gregory’s College, Obalende (Both in Lagos) for secondary education. Brookklyn College and St John’s University were the tertiary institutions he attended”.
Fernandez was rich. His wife, Aduke claimed in court that he is worth 600 million pounds and had interests in gold and diamond mines as well as oil fields.
It was also stated that he had interests in such companies as Sandcat Petroleum Limited, Sanantonio Limited, Petro-Inett Limited, Sandcat Enterprises, Inuola Limited, View Limited, Sandcat Goldfields Limited, Voguehope Limited, Woods Limited and Petro-Inett Equatorial Guinea Limited.
He had bank accounts in Scotland, Ireland, Switzerland, France, Hong Kong, the Cayman Islands, USA and Belgium.
In addition, he had kilometres of diamond plants in Angola and was Ambassador at-large  for Congo, Angola and Mozambique as well as United Nation’s Permanent Representative for the Central African Republic.
Fernandez was the shining light who had friends in the highest echelons of society, mixing with super heavyweights. The beloved US President, J.F. Kennedy was a friend. Also, President George Bush Snr.  President Gnassinbge Eyadema and President Samora Michel were members of his inner circle.
The stamp of luxury and splendor were trademarks of the high chief’s fancy as well as “classy and timeless possessions”.
He had this magnificent yacht called Yemoja, a two-storey wonder which had spectacular sitting and dining rooms, a lavish master bedroom. Two baths, two children’s rooms, a gym, entertainment centre among other heavenly paraphernalia.
The owner’s suite had an exquisite sitting room area, his and hers bathrooms, walk-in wardrobes and a lavish bedroom. The yacht’s magnificent stairway  spans three decks  and has carved antelope heads in the balustrade.
”The Goddess of the sea” which is what Yemoja translates to in Yoruba language, was designed by F. de Voogt, built by Van Lent with interior creatively crafted by Lavor. It had dominant African themes, lion skin rug and statues of warriors are prominently displayed on special carpets or white washed paneling.
If you are already gushing at the sheer beauty of this spectacular yacht, wait till you read the details of his outstanding paradise, an island in New York United States of America.
The island had everything including a fire service station and a long bridge leading to his magnificent, eye-popping mansion-The Penninsula
Lavishly decorated rooms, with golden balustrades, dining rooms with golden chandeliers, it is splendor at its highest.
When the water level is high, the state’of the- art -cars are automatically raised above sea level, protecting all the objects on ground.
In an article titled “ Welcome to the Peninsula” by The Boss Publisher for Ovation International, he revealed that the road to The Peninsula is like the road to heaven.
According to the writer “:It will take a determined traveler to meander his way to the very vast well-raid roads to the very last of the islands. Even then, only privileged few are allowed to drive or walk (most likely) on that beautiful road with several awe-inspiring bridges.
“Stern-faced security men stop all visitors, including the domestic staff for a brief chat. Driving the owner’s car is not guarantee of a smooth sail. Such is the elaborate security network on the island.
“As soon as the traveler passes through the proverbial eye of the needle, he is confronted by some little islands, in various degrees of opulence, each belonging to different categories of super rich.
“As you continue to rigmarole your way through the labryrinthine setting, you begin to imagine what your final destination holds in store for you. When you eventually arrive, you cannot but agree that the king himself lives here: It is indeed, Gatsby Country.

 

 

THE MAIN BUILDING

The original structure was substantially altered by the owner, Ambassador Fernandez, a perfectionist who wanted to create an architectural wonder.

In other lands, The Peninsula would probably have been a museum. It is  so monumental that even the richest man in the world would be intimidated by its sheer size and presence.

A giant door about four inches thick with glowing crest, with eerie inscriptions of a confraternity, welcomes the visitor.

The King of the house is a traditional African who romanticizes the beliefs and religion of his forbears.

He was a titled member of Yoruba’s highest cult, The Ogboni, which conferred on him one of its topmost titles, Oluwo.

Inside the house, his paraphernalia adorn a lot of the portraits. Like most Africans whose attitude to religion are syncretic, he respects religions of his people, especially Islam and Christianity.

Chief Fernandez is a proud descendant of the Olumegbon Family in Lagos, whose ancestry dates back to the 17th Century. They are Muslims and this is well represented in the Fernandez home.

As you turn the fat knob of the main door and push, the heavy artefact inwards, a portrait of a praying Muslim confronts you.

It is a symbol of the Olumegbon Clan which Fernandez holds very dear to heart. If you turn left, you will see a waiting room, if you turn right, a passage leads to an office where a stuff lioness stares at you, many portraits  of African heroes like Nelson Mandela and Obafemi Awolowo greet you.

The whole building is alike a well-choreographed orchestra. Every room is a coordinated work of art. No space is wasted . Every choice decoration is special and stylish.

A great deal of time, energy, effort, imagination, creativity and money most have gone into tendering such a stupendous edifice.

There is the ubiquitous Caretaker, Jack, an elderly African from Burkina Faso who has worked with Chief for twenty years. There is Joan, the burly Brazilian, who overseers the great task of keeping the exterior clean. There are two Housekeepers: Jackie and Sara two friendly ladies. And the jetset guys who make things happen: Charles a Greek and karim, an Algerian; the fly all over the world with or without the influential Chief.

SEEING IS BELIEVING

The best novelist in the world would find it had to describe The Peninsula. Where does one begin? The bedroom? The Guest section mainly reserved for special people. The parlous with their rainbows of elegant colours?…only pictures can tell the stories.

A WANDER’S DELIGHT

A walk through The Peninsula is a big journey. As you move from one part to another, you experience an epic feeling in form of streams  of consciousness and flashes of inspiration. Take Examples of these notes:

Doors: There are doors everywhere, over 200 in the whole palace. Each bears an emblem, which is the map of Africa. Fernandez is one man who is proud of his heritage. The doors of various shapes and sizes. The wardrobes have similar doors. In them neatly arranged dresses, shoes, bags, caps , ties and belts from the world’s greatest designers-Valentino, Lnvin, Salvatore Ferragamo, Ralph Lauren, Escade, Bruno Magli, Bally, Channel, Ungaro, John Lobb, Bucheron, Sulka, Jhane Barnes, Gucci, Sratton Crooke…

The door handles were made in California. On each of the faceplates is inscribed” Agbo Meji kii Momi Nikoto ( Two rams cannot drink from same bucket). And there are African maps on everything, including hinges.

WINES

Chief Fernandez is obviously a great connoisseur of vintage wines. He keeps a cellar where esoteric wines assault the senses. His wife told the French Court that his Wine Collection is worth over $1million.

His wine list include: Maisons Marques & Domaines-Oakland (1990), Corton Granay Grand Cru (1996), Chateau Cheval Blanc (1985) Sauternnes (1990) etc. The one that takes the cake is Cristal Champagne Loius Roederer, a millennium Champagne, 2000 bottles of which were produced for worldwide enjoyment. Chief has  four bottles of the wine resting peacefully inside some massive caskets.

ARTS
Everywhere you look, there are enough masterpieces to make a collector green with envy. There are antiques. There are contemporary carvings and paintings. Ben Enwonwu’s carvings stand out. Everything for Fernandez is an art. he once ordered dozens of Louis Vuitton suitcases with his special crest engraved on all of them.
Chief is a great lover of music and a great Sinatra fan. In most exotic hotels around the world, in-house  artistes know his taste. A rendition of MY WAY by Sinatra would automatically earn the singer some ward of minty 100 dollars at The Ritz in Paris, The Lanesbrough, Hyde Park Corner near Knightsbridge , London.
FOOD
Great attention is devoted to preparing good food in the house. Just enter Madame’s kitchen and you will see culinary wonders. No Mandarin could boast of having more cookery books than Chief (Mrs) Fernandez. There are cabinets with all manner of food items, oils, spices, juices, dishes, cups, glasses, knives, all kinds of bottles – oblong, rectangular, rotund, square – and the ovens are massive. Magazines on all subjects are neatly arranged in files.
Even her daughters love . Princess Abimbola, for example, makes cookies for sale (as a hobby). She even has own cash register. She enjoys collecting as little as 27 cents for her sweat (talk of a business girl in the house).
The chef of the house operates from the kitchen, which has all the facilities to cater for top celebrities, many of who drop by once in a while. Chief’s love for good food was demonstrated recently when he employed an Argentine chef. The manner of employment was dramatic. He had contracted the Ritz to recommend a very good chef.
The name of the young man called Christian surfaced but he was said to be in Italy. Chief located him, talked some deals and the chef couldn’t resist the offer. Chief was elated. He quickly bought a home costing about $400, 000 to house Christian. Not only that, he sent Christian to London to learn how to prepare Nigerian dishes like asaro (yam porridge), jollof rice etc. He got his tutorials from the Buka Restaurant on Kilburn High Road and from the wife of Ovation publisher. He soon flew back to New York, ready for the Chief.
LIFE OF A LEGEND
When the young Anthonio Fernandez

migrated to the United States of America on June 8, 1954, he was barely 18. Like many young men of those days, America held out so much promise as the fabled land of opportunities

Before his epic journey, he had spent time at various popular schools in Lagos like The Holy Cross, Saint Gregory’s and C.M.S Grammar School. Even at that early stage, he was well known for his incredible height. And he was a hussler, who tried to give himself a good life. He had a troublesome bicycle at Greg’s, the tyres of which were always going flat. Unknown to him then, he was destined for greatness.

America would turn his ambitious dreams into reality. Two years after the eagle landed, Fernandez made his first million. According to close sources, the money came from the most unexpected place – Jos, Nigeria. The sociable man had ordered for some Bauxite Ore, which was in dire demand in America. The mineral laid fallow in Jos. All he had to do was to arrange its shipment to America. By the time it came, Fernandez was on his way to being one of the world’s richest men

 

unexpected place – Jos, Nigeria. The sociable man had ordered for some Bauxite Ore, which was in dire demand in America. The mineral laid fallow in Jos. All he had to do was to arrange its shipment to America. By the time i came, Fernandez was on his way to being one of the world’s richest men.

Money begets money. Fernandez understood this very well. He started thinking of how to recycle his wealth and make i bigger. He would touch a few other good businesses. He would meet kings and Presidents. The African Prince would begin to carry his height proudly like a true blue blood. He would be crowned all over the world as King Midas and as an international negotiator, a quintessential peacemaker. The colour of his skin will matter less.

Years later, he would go into oil exploration and make it so big. He would be named Ambassador of other nations but his own country, for his people are not known to support success. They relish in backbiting and Self destruction He would build a TOWER FERNANDEZ in his native Lagos Island. But pancake trying women would soon constitute a nuisance in his neighbourhood. And, he dared not complain, or they would tell him “Baba onile gogoro, o wa gbele ru” (the owner of a tall building, why not carry the house on your head). He would try to start some factories in Nigeria, but government bureaucracy would knock him out. He had other bitter encounters

And, he stopped doing business with Nigeria. The story of Fernandez is an epic. He would establish a solid reputation as ‘Mr Fix It. His name would reverberate across the world as a diplomat of diplomats. At the United Nations. friends and colleagues would come to see him as an avuncular figure Nations would engage his services, in order to make the near impossible possible. And he is so efficient, smooth and dashing. His business card today reads:

CHIEF ANTONIO DEINDE FERNANDEZ

Grand Officier de l’Ordre

National du Leopard

Grand Officier de l’Ordre du Mono Commandeur de l’Ordre National du

Merite du Gabon

Officier du Ouissam Alaouite Grand Officier de l’Ordre du Merite

Centrafricain

Ambassador. Extraordinary & Plenipotentiary Permanent Representative to the United Nations and Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs

If that is not an achievement, nothing is. At 64, Fernandez continues to dream of a powerful mother Africa, a continent that can join the comity of other continents in their march towards prosperity.
His Chateau in France used to be owned by the famous General, Napoleon Bonarparte. It is another architectural masterpiece which sits on a large expanse of land as a big as a village.

The interior bears the indelible signature of the wealthy business mogul, everywhere you turn around this chateau, you are arrested by its sheer elegance and style.

Fernandez, the guardian of panache and prosperity travels in style. He has six topnotch private jets. His fleet includes two Gulfstream G4 and 900 Boeing.

He  worked hard and spent money to live a qualitative, stylish life!

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Mary Habila’s Death: Tinubu Has Failed Comprehensively, Disgracefully – Atiku

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2 days ago

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July 16, 2026

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By Eric Elezuo

A former Vice President, and Presidential Candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has lashed out at the administration of President Bola Tinubu over its prolonged silence on the death of a medical practitioner, Mary Habila, who died at the residence of the Minister of Works, Dave Umahi.

Atiku condemned the inability of the  Tinubu-led government from making any pronouncements or instituting any form of probe to unravel the cause of death since the sad incident occurred on June 27, 2026, saying the administration has failed comprehensively and disgracefully.

Atiku’s remarks are contained in a statement he released on his social platforms endorsed with his regular AA.

While not casting any blame on any particular person or entity, Atiku maintained that condolences are not enough,but must be accompanied by thorough investigation into the circumstances that led to the death of the 26 years old medical practitioner in her prime.

The former Vice President therefore called for a “credible, independent, and transparent investigation” to establish the truth, noting that “it is the refusal of the Federal Government to guarantee such an investigation that constitutes the scandal before us”.

The statement in full:

I have followed with deep sorrow and mounting concern the reports surrounding the death of Miss Mary Habila, a 26-year-old Nigerian from Nok, Southern Kaduna, who died on June 27, 2026, within the private residence of the Honourable Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, in Uburu, Ebonyi State.

First, I extend my heartfelt condolences to the Habila family. No family should have to mourn a daughter taken in the prime of her life while also fighting simply to learn the truth of how she died.

But condolences are not enough. Nigerians deserve answers, and it is on this score that the Tinubu administration has failed, comprehensively and disgracefully.

Consider the facts that are not in dispute. A young woman died in the residence of a serving Federal Minister. For nearly two weeks, neither the Minister, nor the police, nor any arm of government said a word to the Nigerian people. It took the courage of Sahara Reporters to bring this death into public view. Three weeks after her death, no autopsy has been performed. No cause of death has been established. The investigation remains domiciled in the very state where the Minister served two terms as Governor and where his influence is beyond question.

And through all of this, silence from the Presidency. Silence from the Federal Executive Council. Silence from the Inspector-General of Police. Silence from the National Assembly. Not one word. Not one directive. Not one gesture to assure Nigerians that the life of Mary Habila matters to this government.

Instead, the Minister has been permitted to manage the narrative of a death that occurred under his own roof: issuing statements through his personal aides, deploying his private lawyers to correspond with the police, and continuing his official duties as though nothing has happened, while civil society groups, youth organisations, and the family’s own community cry out for an independent inquiry.

Let me be clear: I make no pronouncement on anyone’s guilt or innocence. That is precisely the point. Only a credible, independent, and transparent investigation can establish the truth, and it is the refusal of the Federal Government to guarantee such an investigation that constitutes the scandal before us.

A government’s first duty is the protection of life. Where a life is lost in circumstances touching a high official of state, the burden on government to act transparently is at its heaviest.

President Tinubu’s administration has instead treated this tragedy as an inconvenience to be waited out. If the death of a young Nigerian woman in a Minister’s residence cannot stir this government to act, then Nigerians must ask: whose life, exactly, does this government value?

I therefore demand the following: One, President Bola Tinubu must direct the Honourable Minister of Works to step aside immediately, pending the conclusion of investigations. This is not a punishment; it is the minimum standard of public accountability in any serious democracy. No official under this cloud should preside over a federal ministry as though it were business as usual.

Two, the Inspector-General of Police must immediately transfer the investigation from the Ebonyi State Command to Force Headquarters, with the involvement of independent forensic experts. No investigation conducted in the shadow of the Minister’s home-state influence can command public confidence.

Three, a full, independent, and internationally credible autopsy must be conducted without further delay, with the findings made public. The stalemate over the post-mortem, three weeks after this young woman’s death is an indictment of every institution involved.

Four, the family of Mary Habila must be protected from any pressure, inducement, or intimidation, and must be guaranteed unfettered access to the facts of their daughter’s death.

The measure of a nation is how it responds when the powerful are touched by tragedy and the powerless demand truth. Mary Habila was somebody’s daughter, somebody’s sister, a young professional with her life ahead of her. She was a Nigerian. Her death must not be reduced to a footnote of political convenience.

Nigeria will work again, but only when the life of every Nigerian counts, and when no one, however highly placed, stands beyond the reach of accountability.

May the soul of Mary Habila rest in peace. May her family find justice. -AA

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Atiku Accuses INEC of Aiding Tinubu’s Alleged One-party State Agenda

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4 days ago

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July 14, 2026

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Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of aiding President Bola Tinubu’s agenda to weaken opposition parties ahead of the 2027 polls by granting access to a factional leader of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

In a statement issued Monday by the Atiku Media Office, Atiku alleged that INEC’s actions amounted to partisanship and a violation of the Constitution and the Electoral Act.

The statement referenced a July 11, 2026 claim by Nafiu Bala Gombe, who “parades himself as National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC)”, that he had succeeded in uploading the names of his candidates on INEC’s portal.

According to Atiku’s office, uploading candidates is part of the process for the 2027 General Elections, made possible by access codes granted to political parties in line with INEC guidelines.

“Meanwhile, INEC has been mum, and has not denied or confirmed this obvious contradiction to the law and its own guidelines,” the statement said.

Atiku’s team argued that by granting an access code to Bala Gombe, INEC was recognizing a “pretender” despite having “since validated the chairmanship of the Sen. David Mark-led exco.”

“By granting access code to Bala Gombe, a pretender, laying claims to the chairmanship of the ADC, though the law is not on his side and INEC has since validated the chairmanship of the Sen. David Mark-led exco, the electoral umpire is once again manifesting its partisanship,” the statement noted.

It drew parallels with a past incident under Prof. Joash Amupitan-led INEC, alleging the commission “illegally removed the names of the duly recognised ADC exco following the judicial rascality of Justice Lifu in ignoring a superior ruling of an appellate court.”

The statement described the “so-called ‘successful’ uploading of ‘candidates’ by Nafiu Bala Gombe” as lacking legal basis.

“Nafiu Bala Gombe is not recognised as ADC Chairman. Mark is duly recognised. Can there be two recognised Chairmen of a political party? Possibly only in an INEC led by Amupitan. Can INEC grant two access codes to a political party? Certainly not,” it added.

Atiku’s office warned that the development “is a recipe for crisis and confirms that Prof Joash Amupitan was appointed to enable the weakening of the opposition parties by creating crisis even where none exists.”

Citing the law, the statement noted that Section 222 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) provides that candidates must emerge through recognized party primaries supervised by INEC, while Section 84 of the Electoral Act 2022 requires parties to submit only one validly nominated candidate per elective office.

“Nafiu Bala Gombe and his criminal gang did not conduct any primaries. The INEC granting of access code to Nafiu Bala Gombe is unconstitutional and unlawful. The only submitted candidates known to the law are those of David Mark. Any parallel submission such as Nafiu Bala Gombe’s is null and void,” it said.

The statement called on the INEC Chairman to stop “fomenting crisis in the ADC and the other opposition parties and by so doing helping President Bola Tinubu’s agenda of total State capture.”

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Appeal Court Upholds Judgment Ordering INEC to Derecognise Mark-led EXCO

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5 days ago

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July 13, 2026

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The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja on Monday affirmed the judgment restraining the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognising or participating in any state congresses organised by committees appointed by the Senator David Mark-led caretaker leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

The appellate court decision was a split of two-to-one.

A three-member panel of the appellate court, in a lead verdict delivered by Justice Okon Abang, said it found no reason to set aside the restraining order the Federal High Court in Abuja had issued against the Mark-led ADC on April 29.

It further upheld the order of trial Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, which restrained the Mark-led executives from interfering with the tenure and functions of the party’s elected state executives.

The appellate court concurred that responsibility for conducting state congresses of political parties rests with elected state executive committees, not with the national leadership.

While Justices Abang and Donatus Okorowo gave the majority verdict barring the electoral body from acknowledging the outcome of congresses held by the Mark-led leadership of the ADC, the head of the appellate court’s panel, Justice Abba Mohammed, gave a dissenting judgment.

In his minority decision, Justice Mohammed held that the case that precipitated the restraining order bordered on a non-justiciable internal affair of a political party.

He held that the trial court was wrong to have assumed jurisdiction to entertain the matter.

Meanwhile, the Court of Appeal judgment may jeopardise the presidential candidacies of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and other candidates who emerged through the national congress organised by the Mark-led faction of the ADC, ahead of the 2027 general elections.

It will be recalled that the High Court had, in its judgment, held that the four-year tenure of the ADC’s State Working Committees and State Executive Committees remained valid and subsisting, pending the conduct of properly constituted congresses and the convocation of a national convention.

The judgment followed a suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/581/2026, lodged before the court by aggrieved members of the ADC.

Those behind the suit are Don Norman Obinna, Johnny Tovie Derek, Obah C. Ehigiator, Hon. Olona Yinka, Dr. Charles Idowu Omideji, Samuel Pam Gyang, and Obianyo Patrick, who told the court that they sued for themselves and on behalf of all State Chairmen and State Executive Committees of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

Listed as defendants in the matter are the ADC; Sen. David Mark; Sen. Patricia Akwashiki; Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi; Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola; and Prof. Oserheimen Osunbor (sued on behalf of the Caretaker/Interim National Working Committee); and INEC.

The plaintiffs had, among other things, challenged the decision of the Senator Mark-led leadership of the ADC to constitute committees for the purpose of conducting state congresses.

They challenged the validity of appointments made by the Mark-led caretaker committee, arguing that planned state congresses slated for April 2026, if conducted under the supervision of the said caretaker committee, would constitute a gross violation of the party’s constitution.

It was further the position of the plaintiffs that only duly elected party organs recognised under the party’s constitution possess the power to conduct congresses.

While agreeing with the plaintiffs, Justice Abdulmalik held that neither the 1999 Constitution, as amended, nor the Constitution of the ADC empowered the caretaker/interim National Working Committee led by Senator Mark to appoint committees for the purpose of conducting state congresses.

The court held that the claims brought before it by the plaintiffs were valid and deserving of judicial consideration, citing an alleged breach of constitutional and statutory provisions.

It held that Section 223 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, mandates political parties to conduct periodic elections based on democratic principles, adding that Article 23 of the ADC Constitution also provides that national and state officers shall hold office for a maximum of two terms spanning eight years.

Justice Abdulmalik stressed that although courts are generally reluctant to interfere in the domestic affairs of political parties, they nonetheless intervene where there is a clear allegation of violation of constitutional or statutory provisions. Political commentary articles

She held that evidence before the court established that the tenure of the state executive committees of the ADC remained valid and must be allowed to run its full course without interference.

The court stressed that only those elected structures have the authority to organise state congresses, and it accordingly nullified any process initiated by the Senator Mark-led caretaker leadership.

Earlier, the court dismissed a preliminary objection filed by the defendants challenging the competence of the suit and the court’s jurisdiction to entertain it.

It held that the subject matter of the plaintiffs’ action pertained to the affairs of INEC and therefore fell within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court under Section 251 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.

The court also waved aside the defendants’ contention that the plaintiffs failed to exhaust internal dispute resolution mechanisms before instituting the action.

It held that the plaintiffs had the requisite locus standi (legal right) to file the suit.

The appellate court, while upholding the restraining order, said it had a duty to intervene so as to “prevent anarchy and ensure the survival of democracy in Nigeria.”

It cited a recent Supreme Court judgment in the leadership crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to hold that the ADC case could not be classified as a domestic affair of a political party.

“Once a complaint before the court is anchored on a constitutional infraction, the shield of internal affairs drops and the veil is lifted for judicial intervention,” Justice Abang added in the majority judgment.

Consequently, the panel dismissed the appeal marked CA/ABJ/CV/608/2026, which the ADC lodged in order to set aside the high court judgment.

It held that congresses and the national convention conducted by the Mark-led ADC amounted to a nullity as they were held in disobedience to a subsisting order that the High Court made on April 14.

Having resolved the case against the ADC, the appellate court awarded a cost of N10million against the party.

Shortly after the judgment, the ADC, which was represented by its National Welfare Secretary, Mr Nkem Ukandu, said the party would take the case before the Supreme Court.

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