Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed a legal bid by leaders of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Wuse Ward, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), seeking to bar Senator Ireti Kingibe from participating in all party activities following her alleged suspension.
The judge directed the ward leaders, reportedly loyal to FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, to formally serve Senator Kingibe with court processes so she can join issues with them. Justice Lifu emphasized that requests to prohibit participation in party activities must be handled judiciously, giving both parties a fair opportunity to present their cases.
“The discretion in such political matters must be exercised judicially and fairly,” the judge stated, underscoring the principle that justice is served only when both sides are heard on the merits of the case. Consequently, the court set April 20, 2026, for both the plaintiffs and Senator Kingibe to appear for the hearing of all applications in the matter.
The lawsuit, marked FHC/ABJ/CV/539/2026, was filed by Okezuo Godfrey Anayo and Isaiah Ojonugwa Samuel on behalf of themselves and other ward members, naming Senator Kingibe as the sole defendant.
According to the plaintiffs, Senator Kingibe, representing the FCT in the Senate, was suspended on March 10, 2026, by the Wuse Ward executive committee over alleged anti-party activities and disregard for the ADC constitution. The ward members, represented by Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Kolawole Olowookere, had sought an interim injunction to restrain the senator from parading herself as a party member, performing any functions, attending meetings, or representing the ADC in any capacity pending the hearing of their motion for an interlocutory injunction.
The plaintiffs argued that the suspension followed due process as outlined in the ADC constitution and ratified by a two-thirds majority of the executive committee members. They claimed that despite the suspension notice, Senator Kingibe continued to hold parallel meetings, issue press statements as an ADC member, and allegedly used her security detail to intimidate the ward executive committee. “Her actions constitute flagrant disregard for the internal mechanisms of the party,” the plaintiffs stated.
In response, a lawyer representing Senator Kingibe, Abubakar Marshall, filed a preliminary objection challenging the suit. The court acknowledged the objection, which had been served on the plaintiffs’ legal representative, M. S. Garba, and will consider it alongside other matters during the April 20 hearing.
