By Paul Joseph
A Federal High Court in Abuja has struck out a suit seeking to stop Senator Ireti Kingibe from participating in the activities of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) following her alleged suspension from the party.
Justice Peter Odo Lifu, in a ruling delivered on Friday, held that issues relating to suspension and discipline within a political party are internal matters that do not require court intervention.
The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CV/539/2026, was filed by Okezuo Godfrey Anayo and Isaiah Ojonugwa Samuel on behalf of members of the Wuse Ward Executive of the ADC.
The plaintiffs had asked the court to restrain Kingibe from parading herself as a member of the ADC, attending party meetings or carrying out activities linked to the party pending the determination of the case.
They alleged that the senator was suspended on March 10 over alleged anti-party activities, gross misconduct and disregard for the party’s constitution.
According to the plaintiffs, the suspension was ratified by two-thirds of ward executives and communicated to the senator, but she allegedly continued to hold meetings and issue statements as a party member.
However, Justice Lifu questioned why those who carried out the suspension were seeking judicial validation for their own decision.
The judge described the suit as frivolous, baseless and unfounded, stressing that Senator Kingibe herself would have been the appropriate party to challenge any disciplinary action if she felt aggrieved.
Invoking Sections 82 and 83 of the Electoral Act, the court imposed a N10 million fine on the plaintiffs in favour of Senator Kingibe.
The court also slammed an additional N10 million fine on the plaintiffs’ counsel, Senior Advocate of Nigeria Kolawole Olowookere, for filing what the court termed a frivolous suit.
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