The Federal High Court in Abuja has granted an application allowing substituted service of court processes on Sen. Ireti Kingibe, who represents the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Senatorial District on the platform of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
The ruling was delivered by Justice Salim Ibrahim following an ex-parte motion filed by the plaintiff’s counsel, Moses Awuru, who told the court that personal service on the senator had not been successful.
Awuru informed the court that all attempts to personally serve the senator had failed, prompting the request for substituted service.
He asked that court documents be served through Kingibe’s legislative aide to ensure compliance with judicial procedures.
After reviewing the motion filed on June 26, Justice Ibrahim granted the application and adjourned the case to July 21, 2026, for further mention.
The case arises from a legal challenge filed by Mubarak Tijani, an aggrieved aspirant in the ADC senatorial primary election for the FCT.
Tijani is seeking to nullify the outcome of the primary poll held on May 21, 2026, which produced Senator Kingibe as the party’s candidate.
He also asked the court to restrain the ADC from forwarding her name to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the 2027 general elections.
In the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1170/2026, Tijani alleged that the primary election was not conducted in line with the Electoral Act 2026 and the ADC constitution.
He argued that although party members gathered at the designated venue, no voting or accreditation took place.
According to him, electoral materials were allegedly diverted to a private location in Gudu, Abuja, which he claims is linked to Senator Kingibe.
Tijani further alleged that a “purported result” was later announced without any legitimate voting exercise.
The plaintiff is seeking several reliefs, including:
- Cancellation of the disputed ADC primary election
- An order compelling a fresh and transparent primary
- A directive preventing INEC from recognising Kingibe as candidate
He insists that the process violated both electoral guidelines and internal party rules.
During Monday’s sitting, the ADC was represented by Mohammed Ishaq, while INEC had no legal representation in court.
Justice Ibrahim subsequently ordered substituted service and adjourned proceedings.
