Court declines immediate hearing in suit seeking to bar Ireti Kingibe from ADC activities

A Federal High Court in Abuja has declined to proceed with an application seeking to stop Senator Ireti Kingibe, who represents the Federal Capital Territory, from presenting herself as a member of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), until she is formally notified and given the opportunity to respond.

Delivering ruling on Thursday, Justice Peter Lifu held that the senator must first be served with all relevant court documents before the case can be heard. He stressed that fair hearing requires that all parties be aware of the claims against them and allowed to respond.

The case, filed as FHC/ABJ/CS/539/2026, was brought by the Wuse ward executive committee of the ADC in Abuja. The committee is asking the court for an order restricting Kingibe from identifying as a party member following her suspension at the ward level.

The suspension was issued 48 hours before the suit was filed, citing allegations of anti-party conduct, insubordination, and breach of internal party rules.

The plaintiffs, Okezuo Kanayo, ward chairman, and Isaiah Samuel, ward secretary, are widely regarded as aligned with interests linked to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.

They are also seeking a declaration that the Wuse ward executive committee has the authority to discipline and suspend members within its jurisdiction. In addition, they want the court to affirm that the suspension remains valid and that the party’s national leadership should not recognise Kingibe during the suspension period.

Representing the applicants, counsel Maxwell Opara urged the court to uphold the ward committee’s actions and enforce the suspension.

In his ruling, Justice Lifu said the court would not consider the request until proper service is effected on Senator Kingibe, adding that decisions in politically sensitive disputes must follow due process.

He ordered that all court processes be served on the senator and adjourned the matter to April 20, 2026, for hearing of pending applications.

Ireti Kingibe remains a central figure in the dispute, which now returns to court later this month for further proceedings.