The Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday struck out a suit seeking to stop Senator Ireti Kingibe from participating in all activities of the African Democratic Congress following her alleged suspension from the party by the Wuse Ward Executive in Abuja.
The presiding judge, Justice Peter Lifu, struck out the case while delivering a ruling in the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CV/539/2026, filed by Okezuo Godfrey Anayo and Isaiah Ojonugwa Samuel on behalf of themselves and ward members as plaintiffs, with Senator Kingibe as the sole defendant.
Senator Kingibe, who represents the Federal Capital Territory in the Senate, was said to have been suspended on March 10 by the Wuse Ward Executive, with the action allegedly ratified by two-thirds of the party leaders over allegations of anti-party activities and disregard for the Constitution of the ADC.
In the suit filed on behalf of the plaintiffs by Kolawole Olowookere (SAN), the aggrieved ADC members in Wuse, Abuja, sought an order of interim injunction restraining Kingibe from parading herself as a member of the ADC pending the hearing and determination of their motion on notice for interlocutory injunction.
They also asked the court to restrain the senator from performing any function, attending meetings, carrying out activities reserved for ADC members, or representing the party in any capacity.
In addition, the Ward Executive Committee sought an order restraining her from further interfering with the administration of the ward, the ward register, and other activities.
The suit was predicated on five grounds, among which were claims that Mrs Kingibe was placed on suspension over alleged anti-party activities, gross misconduct, and confiscation of the ward’s statutory records.
“That the suspension followed due process as enshrined in the ADC Constitution and ratified by the two thirds majority of the Exco members.
“That despite the communication of the suspension to her, she has continued to hold parallel meetings, issues press statements as ADC members and using her security details to intimidate the Executive Committee.
“That her actions constitute flagrant disregard to the internal mechanism of the party,” they claimed.
Delivering ruling in the case, Justice Lifu held that the subject matter of the suit bordered on the internal affairs of the party.
“The issue of discipline and suspension upon which this suit is predicated is an internal affairs of the ADC that does not need the intervention of any Court”.
Justice Lifu questioned why those who suspended the senator were in court seeking validation of their own action.
He held that Senator Ireti Kingibe, being the person suspended, ought to be the one challenging the disciplinary action in court, adding that the plaintiffs were unsure of their own action and therefore rushed to court.
While holding that the suit was frivolous, baseless and unfounded, Justice Peter Lifu invoked Sections 82 and 83 of the Electoral Act and imposed a fine of N10 million on the plaintiffs, payable to Kingibe.
The judge also imposed another N10 million fine on the lawyer who filed the suit on behalf of the plaintiffs, also payable to Senator.
