Investment banker and economist, Atedo Peterside, says ‘judicial rascality’ in Nigeria can be stopped through disciplinary action.

In a post on his verified X handle on Saturday, Peterside said reliance on appellate courts alone to do right would encourage judges to plunge into delivering what he described as ‘procurable obnoxious judgements’.

He was reacting to the ruling by the  Federal High Court sitting in Lokoja which set aside its earlier judgment directing the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to register the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, as a political party.

“The cure for Judicial Rascality is disciplinary action. Glossing over rascality whilst relying on Appeal Courts alone to overturn obnoxious judgements encourages more judges to go into the lucrative business of delivering procurable obnoxious judgements,” he said.

Meanwhile, the NDC has rejected the ruling, vowing to head for the Court of Appeal.

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has said it is yet to receive the Certified True Copy, CTC, of the Federal High Court judgment that set aside an earlier order directing it to register the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, as a political party.

INEC disclosed this in a statement issued on Saturday by its Chief Press Secretary and Media Adviser to the Chairman, Adedayo Oketola.

According to the commission, although it is aware of media reports on the judgment delivered by the Federal High Court sitting in Lokoja on June 26, it cannot comment on the ruling until it obtains and reviews the certified copy.

“The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, is aware of reports circulating in the media regarding the judgment delivered on Friday, June 26, 2026, by the Federal High Court sitting in Lokoja, which set aside an earlier order concerning the registration of the Nigeria Democratic Congress.

“However, as of this moment, the Commission has not yet received the Certified True Copy, CTC, of the court’s order,” the statement said.

INEC stated that its legal department would study the judgment upon receipt of the CTC before advising the commission on the next course of action.

“Once the Commission’s legal department receives and thoroughly studies the CTC of the judgment, INEC will take an informed, lawful decision in line with the court’s directives.

“Until then, we cannot comment on the specifics of the ruling, and the public is urged to await the Commission’s formal position on the matter,” Oketola added.

Justice Isah Dashen of the Federal High Court in Lokoja had on Friday set aside the court’s December 10, 2025, judgment directing INEC to register the NDC as a political party.

The court held that the rights of the Peace Movement Party were affected by the earlier judgment because it was not joined in the suit despite claiming ownership of the logo relied upon in securing the registration order.

Justice Dashen consequently ordered that all parties be restored to the positions they occupied before the December 2025 judgment and directed that the substantive suit be heard afresh with all necessary parties joined.

The NDC has rejected the ruling and announced plans to appeal the decision. Its National Chairman, Senator Moses Cleopas, maintained that the party had not been deregistered and argued that the trial court lacked jurisdiction to revisit a matter on which it had already delivered a final judgment.

The ruling has also attracted reactions from opposition figures, including the NDC’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, the party’s National Leader, Senator Henry Dickson, and other stakeholders, who described the decision as a threat to Nigeria’s multiparty democracy and vowed to challenge it through all available legal channels.

INEC, however, maintained that it would reserve its position on the judgment until it receives and reviews the Certified True Copy.

Members of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Esa-Oke, Obokun Local Government Area of Osun State, have rejected attempts to link the recent killing of an Accord Party member, Ajayi Rogba, to the Director-General of the party’s campaign council for the August 15 governorship election, Wole Oke.

Ajayi, who was an indigene of the community, was reportedly murdered on Tuesday night by suspected thugs.

During a condolence visit to the deceased’s family on Wednesday, Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, allegedly suggested that the killing was carried out by thugs loyal to the APC.

The governor also reportedly criticised Oke, a member of the House of Representatives from the area, while calling on the police to thoroughly investigate the incident and bring those responsible to justice.

However, speaking at a press conference in Esa-Oke on Friday, Prof. Siji Olamiju, who addressed journalists on behalf of APC members in the area, warned against politicising the death of the Accord Party member.

Olamiju described attempts to exploit the incident for political advantage as insensitive to the grieving family and harmful to the pursuit of justice.

“APC members in Ward 7, Esa-Oke, consider it necessary to address the growing attempts by some political actors to exploit this tragedy for partisan purposes.

“We are particularly concerned that certain individuals have hastily linked this unfortunate incident to politics without allowing the Nigeria Police Force and other relevant security agencies to conclude their investigations,” he said.

According to him, justice can only be achieved through a fair and professional investigation rather than speculation or politically motivated accusations.

“Justice can only be achieved through a thorough, impartial and professional investigation, not through speculation, political rhetoric or media trials,” he added.

Olamiju also absolved Oke of any involvement in the killing, insisting that efforts to associate the lawmaker or the APC with the incident were unfounded and politically motivated.

According to him, there was no credible evidence connecting the party or its leaders to the crime.

“We respectfully urge His Excellency, Governor Ademola Adeleke, and all public office holders to exercise restraint and allow law enforcement agencies to discharge their constitutional responsibilities independently and without interference or premature conclusions,” he said.

The APC chieftain further appealed to security agencies to conduct a comprehensive, transparent and unbiased investigation into the killing.

“The APC remains committed to the rule of law, justice and accountability,” Olamiju stated.

“We firmly maintain that whoever is found culpable after a lawful and impartial investigation, regardless of political affiliation, social status or influence, must face the full weight of the law.”

He also urged political stakeholders to allow truth, due process and justice to prevail over politics and unverified allegations while honouring the memory of the deceased.