A federal high court in Abuja has refused to hear an application seeking to bar Ireti Kingibe, senator representing the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), from parading herself as a member of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
In a ruling delivered on Thursday, Peter Lifu, the presiding judge, held that the senator must first be put on notice and served with all relevant court processes by the plaintiffs to enable her prepare her defence.
The Wuse ward executive committee of the ADC in the FCT had filed the suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/539/2026, seeking an order restraining Kingibe from holding herself out as a member of the party.
The suit was instituted 48 hours after the senator was placed on indefinite suspension by the ward executive committee over alleged anti-party activities, insubordination, and violation of party rules.
The plaintiffs — Okezuo Kanayo, chairman of ADC in Wuse ward, and Isaiah Samuel, the ward secretary — are believed to be loyalists of Nyesom Wike, minister of the FCT.
They asked the court to declare that the Wuse ward executive committee has the constitutional authority to discipline and suspend members within its jurisdiction.
Represented by Maxwell Opara, the plaintiffs also urged the court to affirm that Kingibe’s suspension remains valid and subsisting, and that the national working committee (NWC) of the party should not recognise her as a member at any level during the period of her suspension.
However, in his ruling, Lifu directed the plaintiffs to put the senator on notice to appear in court and respond to the claims against her.
He held that discretion in granting such a request, particularly in political matters, must be exercised judicially and judiciously, adding that justice would only be served when both parties are heard on the merits of the case.
Consequently, the judge ordered that Kingibe be served with all court processes to enable her respond to the suit.
The matter was adjourned to April 20, 2026, for hearing of all pending applications.
