The Kogi State High Court has debunked reports cclaiming that it ordered the deregistration of the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
It described the publication as false and misleading.
In a statement issued on Thursday in Lokoja by the court’s Chief Information Officer, Saqeeb Saeed, the judiciary said it had neither heard nor delivered ruling in any case involving the registration or deregistration of the NDC or any other political party in the country.
According to the statement, the social media post was accompanied by photographs of the Chief Judge of Kogi State, Josiah Majebi, and former Governor Yahaya Bello, creating what the court described as a false impression that the purported ruling originated from the state High Court.
The court explained that although it would not ordinarily react to such reports, it considered it necessary to correct the misinformation in order to protect the integrity of the judiciary.
It warned that the publication was capable of eroding public confidence in the judicial system and called on members of the public, especially content creators and online publishers, to verify information before disseminating reports that could mislead the public.
The statement further warned that the spread of false information aimed at damaging the reputation of judges, the High Court of Justice, or any court under its administrative supervision would no longer be tolerated.
The court urged the public to ignore the social media report, reiterating its commitment to administering justice fairly, diligently and without fear or favour.
The clarification follows recent developments in a separate case involving the NDC at the Federal High Court in Lokoja.
Justice Isah Dashen had earlier set aside his previous judgment on the party’s registration, ruling that all parties with an interest in the matter must be heard before any substantive decision could be reached.
The judge upheld an application filed by the Peace Movement Party (PMP), holding that the party was a necessary party in the suit.
He ruled that the earlier judgment was constitutionally defective because it was delivered without hearing all interested parties, rendering the entire process null and void.
Justice Dashen also directed that the status quo existing before the December 2025 judgment be restored pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit.
In addition, the judge observed that material facts had been withheld during the earlier proceedings, providing sufficient grounds to set aside the judgment.
Consequently, he ordered that the substantive case commence afresh, with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Peace Movement Party (PMP), and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) joined as parties to the suit.
