The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the National Welfare Secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Nkemakolam Ukandu, to pay the sum of ₦100 million to the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho, and Justice Peter Lifu.

The order was issued on Monday by Justice Salim Ibrahim, who struck out Ukandu’s suit for lack of diligent prosecution.

Justice Ibrahim directed that Ukandu pay ₦50 million each to Justice Tsoho and Justice Lifu within 14 days.

The ruling followed an oral application filed by counsel to the two judges, J.U.K. Igwe (SAN).

Ukandu had earlier instituted a suit against the National Judicial Council (NJC), Justice Tsoho, and Justice Lifu, alleging bias, corruption, abuse of judicial powers, and disobedience to court orders. In the suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1165/2026, he sought an order compelling the NJC to investigate the allegations against the two judicial officers.

However, neither Ukandu nor his legal representative appeared before Justice Ibrahim at any point after the case was assigned to the court.

The judge had previously warned on June 30 that the suit could be dismissed if the plaintiff failed to appear or be represented.

The case stems from the ongoing leadership crisis within the ADC, involving an aggrieved party member, Nafiu-Bala Gombe, whose matter is currently before Justice Lifu.

Gombe is seeking a court order restraining the Senator David Mark-led leadership of the ADC from parading themselves as the party’s legitimate leadership.

Ukandu, who had sought to be joined in Gombe’s suit, accused both Justice Tsoho and Justice Lifu of bias. He also challenged the reassignment of the case to Justice Lifu after it was withdrawn from Justice Emeka Nwite, alleging that the move violated orders of the Supreme Court and Justice Nwite.