Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court, Abuja, has rejected an ex parte application seeking to bar Senator Ireti Kingibe from participating in the activities of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Papers News reports that the application was filed by leaders of the party in Wuse Ward, Federal Capital Territory, who claimed the senator had been suspended over alleged anti-party activities.
Instead of granting the request, the court directed the ward executives, allegedly loyal to the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, to serve the senator with court processes to enable her to respond to the allegations.
Justice Lifu held that such a request, particularly in political matters, must be handled with judicial caution.
He ruled that “discretion in such a request for prohibition from party activities and in political matters must be exercised judicially and judiciously.”
The judge emphasised that fairness demanded a hearing from both parties before any decision could be made.
He noted that justice would only be served when the defendant’s position is considered alongside that of the plaintiffs.
Consequently, the court ordered that Kingibe be served with all relevant documents to allow her to prepare her defence.
Justice Lifu adjourned the matter to April 20, 2026, for the hearing of all pending applications in the suit.
The case, marked FHC/ABJ/CV/539/2026, was instituted by Okezuo Godfrey Anayo and Isaiah Ojonugwa Samuel on behalf of themselves and other ward members.
In their ex parte application, filed by Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Kolawole Olowookere, the plaintiffs sought an interim injunction restraining Kingibe from parading herself as a member of the ADC.
They also prayed the court to stop her from attending party meetings, performing functions reserved for party members, or representing the party in any capacity pending the determination of the suit.
Additionally, they asked that she be barred from interfering in the administration of the ward and its records.
The plaintiffs claimed that the senator, who represents the FCT in the Senate, was suspended on March 10, 2026, by the Wuse Ward Executive Committee.
They alleged that her suspension followed due process as stipulated in the party’s constitution and was ratified by a two-thirds majority of the executive members.
According to them, the suspension was based on allegations of anti-party activities, gross misconduct, and confiscation of statutory ward records.
They further alleged that despite being notified, Kingibe continued to hold parallel meetings, issue statements as a party member, and intimidate ward executives using security personnel.
“Her actions constitute flagrant disregard for the internal mechanism of the party,” the plaintiffs stated.
Meanwhile, a lawyer, Abubakar Marshall, who said he represents the senator, informed the court that a preliminary objection had been filed against the suit.
He added that the application had already been served on counsel to the plaintiffs, setting the stage for a legal contest when the matter comes up for hearing.
