The Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday struck out a suit seeking to restrain Senator Ireti Kingibe from participating in all activities of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) following her alleged suspension by the Wuse Ward Executive in Abuja.
Delivering judgment, Justice Peter Lifu dismissed the case marked FHC/ABJ/CV/539/2026, filed by Okezuo Godfrey Anayo and Isaiah Ojonugwa Samuel on behalf of themselves and other ward members, with Senator Kingibe as the sole defendant.
Senator Kingibe, who represents the Federal Capital Territory in the Senate, was reportedly suspended on March 10 by the Wuse Ward Executive over alleged anti-party activities and breaches of the party’s constitution. The suspension was said to have been ratified by a two-thirds majority of ward leaders.
In the suit filed through Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Kolawole Olowookere, the plaintiffs sought an interim injunction restraining the senator from parading herself as a member of the ADC pending the determination of their motion on notice.
They also asked the court to bar her from attending party meetings, performing party functions, or representing the ADC in any capacity. The ward executives further sought to stop her from interfering with the administration of the ward, including access to party records.
The plaintiffs anchored their case on allegations of anti-party activities, gross misconduct, and alleged seizure of ward documents, claiming the suspension was carried out in line with the ADC constitution.
They further alleged that despite being notified of her suspension, the senator continued to hold parallel meetings, issue statements as an ADC member, and allegedly used security personnel to intimidate party executives.
However, delivering his ruling, Justice Lifu held that the matter bordered on the internal affairs of a political party, which the courts are not inclined to interfere with.
He ruled that issues of discipline and suspension within a political party fall within its internal mechanisms and do not warrant judicial intervention.
The judge questioned why the plaintiffs were seeking court validation of their own disciplinary action, noting that Senator Kingibe, being the affected party, was the proper person to challenge the suspension if aggrieved.
Justice Lifu described the suit as frivolous, baseless, and unfounded, holding that the plaintiffs acted in haste.
He subsequently invoked Sections 82 and 83 of the Electoral Act and imposed a N10 million fine on the plaintiffs, to be paid to Senator Kingibe, and another N10 million fine on their lawyer for filing the suit.
