More trouble for Sen. David Mark led African Democratic Party (ADC) as a Federal High Court in Abuja has restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognising any congress organised by the party across the nation.

The court also stopped the former Senate President and others from interfering in the ADC ’s internal leadership.

Justice Joyce Abdulmalik gave the order on Wednesday while ruling on a suit filed by Norman Obinna and six others representing state executives of the party.

The plaintiffs challenged the legality of actions by a caretaker national leadership, which they said lacked constitutional authority to organise state congresses or appoint committees for that purpose.

They argued that only elected party organs recognised by the ADC constitution can conduct congresses and manage internal party affairs.

In her judgment, Justice Abdulmalik held that the issues raised were valid and involved alleged breaches of both the Constitution and the ADC constitution.

She said courts can intervene in internal party matters where there is a claim of constitutional or statutory violation.

The judge ruled that the appointment of a “congress committee” was not backed by the party’s constitution and was therefore invalid.

She affirmed that the existing state executive committees remain valid and must be allowed to complete their tenure without interference.

The court also set aside the committee’s appointment, barred INEC from recognising any congress it organises, and restrained David Mark and others from taking steps that could undermine the party’s elected state executive