Nigerian Politician Nafiu-Bala Gombe Gets N500,000 Fine for Amending Suit as Court Dismisses Mark's Objection

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Nafiu-Bala Gombe, a former Deputy National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has been awarded N500,000 each by a Federal High Court in Abuja after he was allowed to amend his suit against Mark and other defendants. This comes after the court dismissed Mark's objection to Gombe's amendment.

Gombe, through his lawyer, Lukman Fagbemi, SAN, had applied to amend the reliefs in his originating summons but Mark and Rauf Aregbesola raised objections. Justice Peter Lifu, in a ruling, held that the objections by Mark, the embattled ADC's National Chairman, and Aregbesola, the National Secretary, were frivolous, baseless and without an iota of merit.

The court held that Gombe's application was occasioned by a change of counsel adding that the apprehension exhibited by Mark-led leadership was unnecessary and uncalled for. Gombe had sought to amend the reliefs in his originating summons to challenge the emergence of Mark and Aregbesola as national leaders of the party.

Mark and Aregbesola had opposed the attempt by Gombe to amend claims in the leadership suit filed against them. The duo had urged Justice Lifu not to allow the amendment to the allegations against them on the ground that doing so would lead to a miscarriage of justice.

Gombe argued that the emergence of Mark and Aregbesola as national leaders of the party violated the provisions of the ADC's Constitution as well as the Electoral Act. The plaintiff had predicated the proposed amendment on eight grounds and a six-paragraph affidavit, maintaining that the law backed his decision as long as judgment had not been delivered in the matter.

On his own part, Aregbesola, through his counsel, Realwan Okpanachi, alleged that Gombe had changed the character of his case against the defendants through the sought amendment. He faulted the plaintiff's new claims, adding that, contrary to the allegations, the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the ADC changed the national leadership on July 29, 2025, during a duly convened NEC meeting.

Aregbesola said Gombe had attached an unsigned copy of the ADC constitution and, after seeing the defendants' objections, had now introduced a signed copy in the amended process to strengthen his case. He argued that “he who comes to equity must come with clean hands,” Aregbesola urged Justice Lifu to reject the application on the ground that “new claims, different documents and exhibits have been introduced through the amendments.”

Justice Lifu consequently dismissed the objections and allowed the amendment by the plaintiff. The judge also awarded a fine of N500,000 each against Mark and Aregbesola to be paid to Gombe. Mark and Aregbesola had opposed the attempt by Gombe to amend claims in the leadership suit filed against them, but the court found their objections to be baseless and without merit.

The ADC leadership had urged the court not to allow the amendment to the allegations against them on the ground that doing so would lead to a miscarriage of justice. Gombe, however, had argued that the emergence of Mark and Aregbesola as national leaders of the party violated the provisions of the ADC's Constitution as well as the Electoral Act.

Gombe's lawyer argued that the plaintiff had the right to make any amendment necessary to ensure justice in his suit. The plaintiff had predicated the proposed amendment on eight grounds and a six-paragraph affidavit, maintaining that the law backed his decision as long as judgment had not been delivered in the matter. The court, therefore, allowed the amendment, dismissing the objections of Mark and Aregbesola.

Nafiu-Bala Gombe and the ADC leadership have been embroiled in a long-standing leadership crisis, with both sides contesting the legitimacy of the other's claim to power. This latest development only adds to the complexity of the situation.

Gombe's move to amend his suit comes as the ADC is set to hold its national convention. The convention is expected to determine the party's leadership and direction for the future.

Gombe, 56, has been a key figure in the ADC, serving as the party's Deputy National Chairman before his recent ouster. His relationship with the current leadership has been strained, with both sides trading allegations of wrongdoing and illegitimacy.

The ADC is one of the lesser-known parties in Nigeria's competitive party landscape, but its leadership crisis has the potential to impact the country's broader political landscape. The party has been embroiled in a series of leadership controversies, with different factions vying for control.

The ADC was founded in 2005 by a group of politicians dissatisfied with the dominant parties in Nigerian politics. Today, it operates as a registered political party with a presence in most states of the federation.

The party's leadership crisis has been ongoing for several months, with both sides refusing to back down. The ADC's National Chairman, Sen. David Mark, has been at the center of the controversy, with Gombe and other critics accusing him of illegitimacy and abuse of power.

Mark, a veteran politician, was elected as the ADC's National Chairman last year. He has since been at odds with Gombe and other critics who claim he was not properly elected.

Gombe's move to amend his suit is seen as a desperate bid to resolve the leadership crisis once and for all. His critics, however, have accused him of trying to undermine Mark's authority and legitimacy as the ADC's National Chairman.

The ADC's leadership crisis has been a subject of intense speculation and gossip in the Nigerian media and among party faithful. The latest development has left many wondering what the future holds for the embattled party.

In related news, the ADC has announced plans to hold a national convention to resolve the leadership crisis once and for all. The convention is expected to take place in the coming weeks.