The Federal High Court in Abuja has struck out a suit seeking to stop Senator Ireti Kingibe from participating in all activities of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), following her alleged suspension by the Wuse Ward executives in Abuja.
Delivering ruling on Friday, Justice Peter Lifu held that matters of discipline and suspension within a political party are internal affairs that do not require court intervention.
Senator Kingibe, who represents the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in the Senate, was said to have been suspended on March 10, 2026, by her Wuse Ward executives over allegations of anti-party activities and disregard for the ADC constitution.
The suit marked FHC/ABJ/CV/539/2026 was filed by Okezuo Godfrey Anayo and Isaiah Ojonugwa Samuel, on behalf of themselves and other party members, with Kingibe as the sole defendant.
The plaintiffs, through their counsel, Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Kolawole Olowookere, had sought an interim injunction restraining the senator from parading herself as an ADC member, pending the determination of their motion on notice.
They also asked the court to stop her from attending meetings, performing party functions, or representing the ADC in any capacity, as well as restraining her from interfering in ward administration and party records.
They argued that her suspension followed allegations of anti-party activities, gross misconduct, and confiscation of ward statutory documents.
“The suspension followed due process as enshrined in the ADC constitution and ratified by the two thirds majority of the Exco members.
“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.
“Her actions constitute flagrant disregard to the internal mechanism of the party,” the plaintiffs claimed.
However, Justice Lifu questioned why those who initiated the suspension were seeking judicial validation of their own action.
The judge held that it was Senator Kingibe, being the affected party, who ought to have approached the court to challenge the disciplinary action, adding that the plaintiffs appeared uncertain of their own position.
Describing the suit as frivolous, baseless, and unfounded, Justice Lifu invoked Sections 82 and 83 of the Electoral Act and imposed a N10 million fine on the plaintiffs, to be paid to Senator Kingibe.
The court also imposed another N10 million fine against the lawyer who filed the suit on behalf of the plaintiffs, also to be paid to the senator.
