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

Justice Salim Ibrahim awarded ₦50 million to each judge after striking out Ukandu’s suit for lack of diligent prosecution. The court directed that the amount be paid within 14 days.

The suit, filed against the National Judicial Council (NJC), Justice Tsoho and Justice Lifu, sought an order compelling the NJC to investigate allegations of corruption, abuse of judicial powers, bias and disobedience to court orders against the two judges.

However, neither Ukandu nor his lawyer appeared in court throughout the proceedings after the matter was assigned to Justice Ibrahim. The judge had previously warned that the case would be dismissed if the plaintiff failed to prosecute it.

The lawsuit arose from the ongoing leadership dispute within the ADC involving party member Nafiu-Bala Gombe, whose case is currently before Justice Peter Lifu.