The Federal High Court in Abuja has struck out a suit seeking to stop Ireti Kingibe from participating in the activities of the African Democratic Congress following her alleged suspension by executives of the party in Wuse Ward, Abuja.
Justice Peter Lifu, in a ruling delivered on Friday, held that issues relating to discipline and suspension within a political party are internal affairs that do not require judicial intervention.
Senator Kingibe, who represents the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, in the Senate, was reportedly suspended on March 10, 2026, by Wuse Ward executives of the ADC over allegations bordering on anti-party activities and alleged disregard for the party’s constitution.
The plaintiffs in the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CV/539/2026, identified as Okezuo Godfrey Anayo and Isaiah Ojonugwa Samuel, sued on behalf of themselves and members of the party in the ward, with Senator Kingibe listed as the sole defendant.
Through their lawyer, Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Kolawole Olowookere, the plaintiffs asked the court to issue an interim injunction restraining the senator from parading herself as a member of the ADC pending the determination of their substantive motion.
They also sought an order preventing her from attending party meetings, carrying out functions reserved for ADC members, or representing the party in any capacity.
Additionally, the plaintiffs requested that the court restrain the senator from interfering in the administration of the ward, including access to the ward register and other party activities.
According to the plaintiffs, Kingibe’s suspension followed allegations of anti-party activities, gross misconduct, and confiscation of statutory ward records.
They claimed that the suspension was carried out in line with the ADC constitution and ratified by a two-thirds majority of the ward executive committee.
The plaintiffs further alleged that despite being informed of the suspension, the senator continued to hold parallel meetings, issue statements as an ADC member, and allegedly used security personnel to intimidate members of the executive committee.
However, Justice Lifu questioned why those who carried out the suspension were seeking judicial validation of their own disciplinary action.
The judge held that if anyone had the right to challenge the suspension in court, it should have been Senator Kingibe herself and not the party members who imposed the sanction.
Describing the suit as frivolous, baseless, and unfounded, the judge invoked Sections 82 and 83 of the Electoral Act and imposed a fine of N10 million against the plaintiffs, payable to Senator Kingibe.
Justice Lifu also imposed an additional N10 million fine against the plaintiffs’ lawyer, Kolawole Olowookere, also payable to the FCT senator.
