The Federal High Court in Abuja has struck out a legal battle aimed at preventing Senator Ireti Kingibe from participating in all activities of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) following her alleged suspension by the Wuse Ward Executive in the Federal Capital Territory.
Court Ruling on Internal Party Affairs
Justice Peter Odo Lifu, in a ruling delivered on Friday, held that the issue of discipline and suspension upon which the suit was predicated was an internal affair of the ADC that did not require court intervention. The judge emphasized that matters of party discipline should be resolved within the party's internal mechanisms.
Background of the Case
Senator Kingibe, who represents the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in the Senate, was reportedly suspended on March 10 by the Wuse Ward Executive. The suspension was allegedly ratified by two-thirds of the party leaders on grounds of anti-party activities and disregard for the ADC Constitution.
The plaintiffs, Okezuo Godfrey Anayo and Isaiah Ojonugwa Samuel, acting on behalf of themselves and other ward members, filed the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CV/539/2026. The serving Senator was named as the sole defendant.
Plaintiffs' Requests and Grounds
Represented by Senior Advocate of Nigeria Kolawole Olowookere, the aggrieved ADC members sought an interim injunction to restrain Kingibe from parading herself as a member of the ADC pending the hearing of their motion for interlocutory injunction. They also requested the court to bar her from performing any functions, attending meetings, or representing the party in any activities. Additionally, they sought to prevent her from interfering with the ward's administration and register.
The suit was based on five grounds, including allegations that Kingibe engaged in anti-party activities, gross misconduct, and confiscation of ward statutory records. The plaintiffs claimed that the suspension followed due process as outlined in the ADC Constitution and was ratified by a two-thirds majority of the executive committee members. They further alleged that despite being notified of her suspension, Kingibe continued to hold parallel meetings, issue press statements as an ADC member, and use her security details to intimidate the executive committee. These actions, they argued, constituted a flagrant disregard for the party's internal mechanisms.
Judge's Observations and Ruling
In his ruling, Justice Lifu questioned why the plaintiffs, who had suspended the Senator, were seeking court validation for their own action. He noted that it should be Senator Kingibe, as the suspended party, who would come to court to challenge the disciplinary action. The judge remarked that the plaintiffs appeared uncertain about their own actions, prompting them to rush to court.
Justice Lifu described the suit as frivolous, baseless, and unfounded. Invoking sections 82 and 83 of the Electoral Act, he imposed a fine of N10 million on the plaintiffs to be paid to Senator Kingibe. Additionally, he fined the plaintiffs' lawyer, Kolawole Olowookere, another N10 million, also payable to the Senator.
