The Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday dismissed a suit seeking to prevent the Senator representing the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Ireti Kingibe, from taking part in all activities of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
In a judgment delivered by Justice Peter Lifu, the court also declined to compel the lawmaker to stop presenting herself as a member of the ADC following her alleged suspension over “anti-party activities.”
The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CV/539/2026, was filed by two party members, Okezuo Godfrey Anayo and Isaiah Ojonugwa Samuel, who said they instituted the action on behalf of the ADC Ward Executive Committee in the FCT.
The plaintiffs stated that Senator Kingibe was suspended on March 10 by the Wuse Ward over several allegations, including “insubordination.”
They further told the court that the suspension was endorsed by a two-thirds majority of the Executive Committee during the party’s general meeting.
“The suspension was duly communicated to the defendant and relevant party organs.
“Despite the said suspension, the defendant continues to parade herself as a card-carrying member of the ADC.
“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,” Samuel stated in an affidavit supporting the suit.
Among the reliefs sought, the plaintiffs asked the court to declare that the suspension imposed by the Wuse Ward Executive Committee of the ADC remained valid and subsisting.
They also requested: “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 should not lawfully recognize the defendant as a member of the party at any level during the subsistence of her suspension.
“A 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.”
Delivering judgment on Friday, Justice Lifu dismissed the suit and awarded N20 million in costs against the plaintiffs in favour of the defendant.
The judge ruled that the matter concerned an intra-party dispute, an issue over which the court lacked the jurisdiction to adjudicate.