The suit seeking to disqualify the Senator representing the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Ireti Kingibe, from participating in all activities of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has been struck out.
The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, on Friday, dismissed the case marked FHC/ABJ/CV/539/2026.
Justice Peter Lifu, who gave the judgement, also refused to order the lawmaker to stop parading herself as a member of the ADC, following her alleged suspension for anti-party activities.
He also awarded a cost of ₦20 million against in favour of Kingibe.
Remember that two members of the ADC, Okezuo Godfrey Anayo and Isaiah Ojonugwa Samuel, who instituted the case, had told the court that they instituted the action on behalf of the ADC Ward Executive Committee in the FCT.
“The plaintiffs said Senator Kingibe was suspended on March 10, by the Wuse Ward for sundry offences, including insubordination.
The lawmaker’s suspension was ratified by a two-thirds majority of the Executive Committee in the general meeting of the party, they told the court.
The suspension was properly communicated to the defendant and the relevant party organs.
“The defendant continues to parade herself as a card-carrying member of the ADC, despite the said suspension.
One of the plaintiffs, Samuel, averred in an affidavit in support of the suit that the plaintiffs are concerned that the defendant may continue to present and hold herself out publicly as a member of the party unless restrained by an order of this honourable court.
Other reliefs sought the court to declare the suspension of the defendant by the Wuse Ward Executive Committee of the ADC as valid and subsisting.
And: “A declaration that the defendant cannot lawfully parade and should not parade herself as a member or card-carrying member of the ADC during the subsistence of the said suspension.
“A declaration that the National Working Committee of the ADC cannot and shall not lawfully recognize the defendant as a member of the party at any level, during the subsistence of her suspension.
“Declaration of the court affirming and validating the suspension of the defendant by the Wuse Ward Executive Committee of the plaintiffs.
“An order of perpetual injunction restraining the defendant from parading herself as a member of the ADC pending the determination of her disciplinary status within the party.
Justice Lifu, who delivered the judgment in the case on Friday, dismissed the suit and awarded the sum of ₦20 million cost against the plaintiffs and in favour of the defendant.
Justice Lifu held that the essence of the case bordered on an intra-party dispute over which the court lacks the requisite jurisdiction to entertain.
