JUST-IN: Court rejects move to bar Sen. Kingibe from ADC activities

The Federal High Court in Abuja has declined an ex parte application seeking to restrain Senator Ireti Kingibe from participating in the activities of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

Justice Peter Lifu, in a ruling delivered on Thursday, refused the request filed by some ward leaders of the party in Wuse, Federal Capital Territory, who claimed the senator had been suspended over alleged anti-party activities.

Instead, the court directed the plaintiffs to put the lawmaker on notice, stressing the need to allow her respond to the allegations and properly defend herself.

The ward leaders, reportedly loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, had approached the court seeking an interim injunction to bar Kingibe from parading herself as a member of the party and from participating in its activities.

Delivering the ruling, Justice Lifu held that the court must exercise its discretion judicially, especially in politically sensitive matters, noting that justice would only be served if all parties were given a fair hearing.

He subsequently ordered that all court processes be served on the senator and adjourned the case until April 20, 2026, for hearing of all pending applications.

The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CV/539/2026, was filed by Okezuo Anayo and Isaiah Samuel on behalf of themselves and other ward members, with Kingibe listed as the sole defendant.

In their application, the plaintiffs argued that the senator was suspended on March 10, 2026, by Wuse Ward executives over alleged misconduct and violation of the party’s constitution. They claimed the suspension was duly ratified by a two-thirds majority of the ward executive committee.

They further accused her of continuing to act as a party member despite the suspension, including holding meetings, issuing statements, and allegedly intimidating ward officials.

However, counsel to the senator, Abubakar Marshall, informed the court that a preliminary objection challenging the suit had already been filed and served on the plaintiffs.

The case highlights ongoing internal disputes within the ADC, as legal battles over party structure and membership continue to unfold.