The Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday, denied an ex parte plea attempting to prevent Senator Ireti Kingibe from engaging in African Democratic Congress activities.
In a verdict, Justice Peter Lifu denied the appeal of several ward leaders of the party in Wuse, Federal Capital Territory, who claimed the senator had been suspended for anti-party activities.
Instead, the court ordered the plaintiffs to serve the lawmaker with notice so that she might reply to the charges and join the proceedings.
The ward leaders, who were reported to be loyal to FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, had petitioned the court to prevent Kingibe from representing herself as a member of the party and engaging in its activities.
Justice Lifu ruled on the case, stating that the court must utilize its discretion judicially and prudently, especially in political circumstances.
He maintained that justice could only be delivered if both sides were given an opportunity to submit their cases on merit.
As a result, the judge ordered that all court documents be served on the senator so that she could prepare her defense.
He adjourned the case to April 20, 2026, to hear all current applications.
The plaintiffs, Okezuo Anayo and Isaiah Samuel, filed the complaint under FHC/ABJ/CV/539/2026 on behalf of themselves and other ward members, with Kingibe named as the sole defendant.
In their ex parte application, the plaintiffs stated that the senator, who represents the FCT in the Senate, was suspended by the Wuse Ward executives on March 10, 2026, for alleged anti-party conduct and disdain for the party constitution.
They asked the court to order an interim injunction prohibiting her from acting as a member of the party pending the outcome of a move on notice.
They specifically requested an order prohibiting her from attending meetings, performing functions reserved for party members, or representing the party in any fashion.
They also asked the court to prevent her from interfering with the administration of the ward, including the register and other official operations.
The plaintiffs based their lawsuit on five grounds, including allegations of severe wrongdoing and the confiscation of ward documents.
They claimed that her suspension followed legal process as outlined in the party’s constitution and was approved by a two-thirds vote of the ward executive committee.
According to them, despite being informed of the suspension, Kingibe continued to organize parallel meetings, issue press statements as a party member, and allegedly used security aides to intimidate ward officials.
“Her actions constitute flagrant disregard for the internal mechanism of the party,” the plaintiffs stated. “Her actions constitute flagrant disregard for the internal mechanism of the party,” the plaintiffs stated.
Meanwhile, a lawyer named Abubakar Marshall, who claimed to represent the senator, informed the court that he had submitted a preliminary objection to the complaint.
He noted that the objection had been served on M. S. Garba, who represented the plaintiffs in Thursday’s proceedings.
