The Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed a case filed against Senator Ireti Kingibe over her continued participation in the African Democratic Congress (ADC) despite her alleged suspension by party officials in Wuse Ward, Abuja.
Justice Peter Lifu delivered the ruling on Friday, May 22, striking out the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CV/539/2026 and describing it as lacking merit.
The case was instituted by Okezuo Godfrey Anayo and Isaiah Ojonugwa Samuel on behalf of themselves and other ward members, with Kingibe named as the only defendant.
The plaintiffs claimed the senator, who represents the Federal Capital Territory, had been suspended on March 10 by the Wuse Ward Executive over alleged anti-party conduct and violations of the ADC constitution.
Represented by senior lawyer Kolawole Olowookere (SAN), the plaintiffs asked the court to stop Kingibe from presenting herself as a member of the ADC pending the determination of the matter.
They also sought orders restraining her from attending party meetings, carrying out party activities, representing the ADC in any official capacity, or interfering in the administration of the ward.
The ward executives argued that the disciplinary action followed the party’s constitutional process and had the approval of two-thirds of the executive members.
“That the suspension followed due process as enshrined in the ADC Constitution and ratified by the two thirds majority of the Exco members.
“That despite the communication of the suspension to her, she has continued to hold parallel meetings, issues press statements as ADC members and using her security details to intimidate the Executive Committee.
“That her actions constitute flagrant disregard to the internal mechanism of the party,” they claimed.
In his ruling, Justice Lifu held that matters relating to party discipline and suspension were internal affairs of political parties and should not ordinarily attract court intervention.
“The issue of discipline and suspension upon which this suit is predicated is an internal affairs of the ADC that does not need the intervention of any Court”.
The judge further questioned why those who imposed the suspension were the same individuals seeking judicial backing for their own action.
According to him, if anyone had grounds to challenge the suspension, it should have been the senator herself.
The court subsequently dismissed the suit and ordered the plaintiffs to pay N10 million in costs to Kingibe.
Justice Lifu also imposed an additional N10 million fine on the plaintiffs’ counsel, bringing the total penalty awarded in favour of the senator to N20 million.