The Federal High Court, Abuja has dismissed a lawsuit seeking to validate the indefinite suspension of Senator Ireti Kingibe by the Wuse Ward chapter of the African Democratic Congress (ADC). The judgment was delivered on Friday by Justice Peter Lifu.
Justice Lifu emphasized that internal party disciplinary matters, including suspensions, are governed by party regulations and do not require judicial approval. He questioned why the officials who imposed the suspension sought the court’s endorsement rather than the suspended senator challenging the action if aggrieved.
Describing the suit as frivolous and unfounded, the judge imposed a N10 million cost on the plaintiffs, Okezuo Kanayo and Isaiah Samuel, in favor of Kingibe. An additional N10 million fine was levied on the plaintiffs’ lawyer, Kolawole Olowookere, SAN, for initiating what the court deemed a baseless case.
The suit, filed under case number FHC/ABJ/CV/539/2026, sought an interim injunction to prevent Kingibe from presenting herself as an ADC member, attending party meetings, or performing functions reserved for the party. Plaintiffs alleged that the senator engaged in anti-party activities and misused security personnel to intimidate ward executives.
Kingibe, representing the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in the Senate, was reportedly suspended on March 10 by the Wuse Ward executives for alleged anti-party conduct and violation of the ADC constitution. The suspension was ratified by a two-thirds majority of ward officials.
In court, Kingibe’s counsel, Marshall Abubakar*m, argued that the plaintiffs had no standing to bring the case since they were also suspended members. He further stated that the ADC’s internal mechanisms for addressing disputes were not followed, urging the court to dismiss the matter with punitive costs.
Meanwhile, plaintiffs’ counsel, I.G. Ogugua, countered that breaches of party constitutions are not immune from judicial scrutiny. Despite this argument, the court ruled in favor of Kingibe, reinforcing the principle that political party discipline remains an internal affair.
This ruling highlights judicial deference to internal party governance and sets a precedent regarding court intervention in intra-party disputes in Nigeria.
