The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Friday dismissed a suit seeking to prevent Senator Ireti Kingibe, who represents the Federal Capital Territory FCT, from participating in the activities of the African Democratic Congress ADC.
Justice Peter Lifu, who delivered the judgment, also refused to stop the lawmaker from presenting herself as a member of the ADC despite claims that she had been suspended for alleged anti party activities.
The case, marked FHC ABJ CV 539 2026, was filed by two ADC members, Okezuo Godfrey Anayo and Isaiah Ojonugwa Samuel. The plaintiffs told the court that they instituted the action on behalf of the ADC Ward Executive Committee in the FCT.
According to the plaintiffs, Senator Kingibe was suspended by the Wuse Ward Executive Committee on March 10 for offences including alleged insubordination. They argued that the suspension was later ratified by a two thirds majority of the party’s executive committee during a general meeting.
The plaintiffs further claimed that the suspension was officially communicated to the senator and relevant party organs, but alleged that she continued to parade herself publicly as a card carrying member of the ADC.
They asked the court to declare the suspension valid and restrain Senator Kingibe from functioning or identifying herself as a member of the party pending the conclusion of disciplinary proceedings.
Among the reliefs sought were declarations preventing the ADC National Working Committee from recognising her membership status during the suspension and a perpetual injunction restraining her from participating in party activities.
However, Justice Lifu dismissed the suit and awarded N20 million costs against the plaintiffs in favour of Senator Kingibe.
The judge ruled that the matter was an intra party dispute, stressing that the court lacked the jurisdiction to entertain such issues. According to the court, disputes relating to internal party affairs are generally outside the scope of judicial intervention except where constitutional or statutory violations are elished.
The judgment is seen as a significant victory for Senator Kingibe, who remains one of the prominent political figures representing the Federal Capital Territory in the National Assembly.
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