A Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Jibrin Okutepa, has commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for promptly complying with the Supreme Court ruling on the leadership crisis in the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Okutepa, who served as lead counsel to David Mark in the case, praised the commission for restoring the ADC leadership on its official portal without waiting to be formally served with the court’s judgment.
In a statement posted on his X account, the senior lawyer described INEC’s action as a demonstration of respect for the rule of law and due process.
“Upon reviewing the INEC portal, it became evident that INEC has proactively reinstated the leadership of the ADC on its platform without any external prompting,” he said.
The development followed a Supreme Court ruling that partially upheld Mark’s appeal and set aside the Court of Appeal’s earlier directive to maintain the “status quo ante bellum,” which had led INEC to remove the Mark-led executive from its records.
According to Okutepa, the apex court found that the appellate court acted without jurisdiction in issuing the order, thereby nullifying the basis upon which INEC initially altered the party’s leadership status.
He noted that INEC’s swift response was commendable, especially in a system where institutions often delay compliance with court orders until formally served.
“This is how actions should be taken under the rule of law,” he said, adding that INEC’s conduct reflects a proper understanding of its constitutional responsibilities.
Okutepa also criticised a broader culture of impunity in Nigeria, where court orders are sometimes ignored or delayed for personal or institutional convenience.
He stressed that national progress depends on consistent adherence to legal processes and respect for judicial authority.
The lawyer concluded that INEC’s action in this instance sets a positive example for other institutions, demonstrating that timely compliance with court decisions is essential for strengthening democratic governance.
