“Major Ruling: Court Dismisses Challenge Against Senator Ireti Kingibe’s ADC Role”
Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja has declined the request from the leaders of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, in Wuse Ward of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, to prevent Senator Ireti Kingibe from engaging in all functions of the party following her purported suspension from the party.
Instead, the judge directed the ward leaders, reportedly loyal to the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, to notify the senator to appear in court to address their grievances.
Justice Lifu, in a decision on Thursday, asserted that discretion in requests for prohibition from party activities and political issues must be exercised both legally and judiciously.
The judge stated that justice would be served in the case of the plaintiffs only when the defense’s position is heard on its merits, alongside that of the plaintiffs.
As a result, the judge mandated that Senator Ireti Kingibe should be served with all court documents by the plaintiffs to ensure she is informed of the lawsuit and can prepare her defense.
The judge scheduled April 20, 2026, for the plaintiffs and the sitting senator to appear before him for the hearing of all applications related to the matter.
The individuals who initiated the lawsuit marked FHC/ABJ/ CV/539/2026 are Okezuo Godfrey Anayo and Isaiah Ojonugwa Samuel, representing themselves and ward members as plaintiffs. The senator is the sole defendant.
In their ex-parte application, it was alleged that Kingibe, representing the FCT in the Senate, was suspended on March 10, 2026, by her Wuse Ward executives due to claims of anti-party conduct and violation of the ADC constitution.
In the ex-parte application submitted on their behalf by Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, Kolawole Olowookere, the disgruntled ADC members in Wuse Ward sought a temporary injunction preventing Kingibe from presenting herself as a party member until the resolution of their motion for an interlocutory injunction.
They also requested the judge to prohibit the senator from executing any functions, attending meetings, or engaging in activities exclusive to ADC members or from representing the party in any events.
Furthermore, the Ward Executive Committee had requested that she be restrained from further encroachment on the management of the ward, ward register, and other related activities.
The lawsuit was founded on five bases, among which are that Mrs. Kingibe was suspended due to anti-party actions, severe misconduct, and appropriation of the ward’s statutory records.
They contended that the suspension adhered to established procedures as outlined in the ADC constitution and was ratified by a two-thirds majority of the EXCO members.
They claimed that despite being informed of her suspension, Kingibe has persisted in conducting parallel meetings, issuing press statements as an ADC member, and employing her security personnel to intimidate the executive committee.
“Her conduct represents a blatant disregard for the internal mechanisms of the party,” the plaintiffs asserted.
Meanwhile, a lawyer, Abubakar Marshall, who claimed to represent the senator, announced he had lodged a preliminary objection against the lawsuit. He noted that it was served on M. S. Garba, who appeared for the plaintiffs at Thursday’s session.
