The Federal High Court Abuja yesterday set June 5 for judgment on a suit seeking the deregistration of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Accord Party (AP), Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) and Action Alliance Party (AAP) over alleged constitutional breaches.

Justice Peter Lifu fixed the date after dismissing the applications for a stay of proceedings and joinder filed by some parties and politicians, including Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke of the AP, who sought to be joined in the suit.

Justice Lifu held that granting a stay of proceedings at this stage would cause hardship on the litigants, especially as political parties were already expected to submit names of candidates ahead of upcoming elections.

The judge noted that the Supreme Court has repeatedly cautioned lower courts against granting an undue stay of proceedings.

He further held that since the applicants had already approached the Court of Appeal, the trial court should be allowed to conclude the hearing of the matter unless otherwise directed by the appellate court.

“It is my considered view not to grant the stay except otherwise decided by the upper court,” the judge said, adding that all issues raised by the applicants lacked merit.