|By Adejumo Adekunle
The Federal High Court in Abuja is set to deliver a ruling today in a legal dispute seeking to bar Ireti Kingibe from participating in all activities of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), following her alleged suspension from the party.
Justice Peter Odo Lifu is expected to issue the decision after hearing an ex-parte application filed by aggrieved party members from the Wuse Ward in the Federal Capital Territory.
Senator Kingibe, who represents the Federal Capital Territory in the Senate, was reportedly suspended on March 10 by her ward executive. The suspension was said to have been ratified by a two-thirds majority of ward leaders over allegations of anti-party activities and disregard for the party’s constitution.
The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CV/539/2026, was instituted by Okezuo Godfrey Anayo and Isaiah Ojonugwa Samuel on behalf of themselves and other ward members, with Senator Kingibe listed as the sole defendant.
Through their counsel, Senior Advocate of Nigeria Kolawole Olowookere, the plaintiffs are seeking an interim injunction restraining the senator from presenting herself as a member of the ADC pending the determination of a substantive motion.
They also urged the court to bar her from attending party meetings, performing any functions reserved for ADC members, or representing the party in any capacity.
In addition, the plaintiffs requested that the court restrain her from interfering with the administration of the ward, including access to the ward register and other internal activities.
The application is based on claims that Senator Kingibe’s suspension followed due process as outlined in the ADC constitution and was duly ratified by the ward executive.
The plaintiffs further alleged that despite being notified of her suspension, the senator continued to hold parallel meetings, issue statements as a member of the ADC, and allegedly used security personnel to intimidate ward officials.
They argued that such actions amount to a blatant disregard for the party’s internal disciplinary mechanisms.
Justice Lifu had earlier adjourned the matter to April 1 for ruling on whether to grant the interim reliefs sought by the plaintiffs.
