I NEVER COMMENTED ON JUSTICE LIFU’S ILLNESS — MELAYE FIRES BACK AT GALADIMA

Former Kogi West Senator, Dino Melaye, has denied making any comments about the reported illness of Federal High Court judge, Justice Peter Lifu, following allegations by former presidential adviser Buba Galadima.

Melaye’s response comes after Galadima criticised members of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) over their alleged reaction to reports that Justice Lifu had fallen ill and might travel abroad for medical treatment.

Speaking during an interview on African Independent Television (AIT), Galadima accused some ADC members of celebrating the judge’s reported health condition instead of considering the possible implications for their party’s legal battle.

Galadima specifically referred to Melaye while reacting to a statement attributed to him during the programme.

However, Melaye has rejected the allegation, insisting that he never commented on the judge’s illness.

The controversy follows the November 5 judgment delivered by Justice Lifu in the leadership dispute involving the ADC, which affected the party’s leadership under former Senate President David Mark and former Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola.

The ruling restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognising the disputed leadership.

Following the judgment, the ADC announced that it had obtained the certified true copy of the court’s decision and was preparing to challenge the ruling.

Galadima argued that the reported absence of the judge could create difficulties for the party’s appeal, claiming that the records of proceedings required for the appeal could not be signed by another judge in his absence.

He warned that ADC members should be more concerned about pursuing their legal challenge than reacting to unconfirmed reports about the judge’s health.

Galadima also criticised what he described as a lack of political understanding among some opposition members.

However, his claims about the judge’s health and the possible legal consequences of his absence have not been independently established.

Melaye’s denial has added another dimension to the disagreement, with attention now focused on the exchange between the two politicians amid the continuing legal dispute over the ADC’s leadership ahead of the 2027 general elections.