ABUJA — The Federal High Court in Abuja has declined an ex parte application seeking to restrain Ireti Kingibe from participating in the activities of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Delivering a ruling, Justice Peter Lifu refused the request filed by some ward leaders of the party in Wuse, Federal Capital Territory, who claimed the senator had been suspended over alleged anti-party activities.
Instead of granting the interim relief, the court directed the plaintiffs to put the lawmaker on notice to enable her to respond to the allegations.
The ward leaders, said to be loyal to Nyesom Wike, had approached the court seeking an order to bar Kingibe from parading herself as a member of the party and from taking part in its activities.
In his ruling, Justice Lifu held that the court must exercise its discretion judicially and judiciously, particularly in political matters, stressing that a fair hearing is essential.
He noted that justice would only be served if all parties were given the opportunity to present their cases on merit, and consequently ordered that all court processes be served on the senator to allow her prepare her defence.
The matter was adjourned till April 20, 2026, for the hearing of all pending applications.
The plaintiffs, Okezuo Anayo and Isaiah Samuel, filed the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CV/539/2026 on behalf of themselves and other ward members, listing Kingibe as the sole defendant.
In their ex parte application, they told the court that the senator, who represents the FCT in the Senate, was suspended on March 10, 2026, by the Wuse Ward executives over alleged anti-party activities and disregard for the party’s constitution.
They urged the court to grant an interim injunction restraining her from acting as a member of the party pending the determination of a motion on notice.
Specifically, the plaintiffs sought to bar her from attending meetings, performing functions reserved for party members, or representing the party in any capacity, as well as restraining her from interfering in ward administration, including its register and official activities.
The plaintiffs based their claims on allegations of gross misconduct and confiscation of ward records, arguing that her suspension followed due process and was ratified by a two-thirds majority of the ward executive committee.
They further alleged that despite being notified of the suspension, Kingibe continued to hold parallel meetings, issue statements as a party member, and used security aides to intimidate ward executives.
“Her actions constitute flagrant disregard for the internal mechanism of the party,” they stated.
However, a lawyer, Abubakar Marshall, who said he represents the senator, informed the court that he had filed a preliminary objection challenging the suit, adding that the application had already been served on counsel to the plaintiffs, M. S. Garba.
