Federal High Court Dismisses Suit Against Senator Ireti Kingibe, Slams Plaintiffs, Lawyer with ₦20m Fine
The Federal High Court in Abuja has struck out a suit seeking to bar Senator Ireti Kingibe from participating in activities of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) following her purported suspension by the Wuse Ward Executive.
Justice Peter Lifu, presiding over the matter in suit number FHC/ABJ/CV/539/2026, dismissed the case filed by Okezuo Godfrey Anayo and Isaiah Ojonugwa Samuel, who sued on behalf of ward members, with Senator Kingibe as the sole defendant.
The plaintiffs, represented by Kolawole Olowookere (SAN), had sought interim orders restraining Kingibe from parading herself as an ADC member, attending meetings, or interfering with ward administration. They argued that her suspension was ratified by two-thirds of the ward executive over alleged anti-party activities and misconduct.
In his ruling, Justice Lifu held that issues of discipline and suspension are internal party matters beyond the jurisdiction of the court. He questioned why the plaintiffs, who claimed to have suspended Kingibe, were seeking judicial validation of their own action, stressing that only the suspended senator could challenge such disciplinary measures.
Describing the suit as frivolous and baseless, the judge invoked Sections 82 and 83 of the Electoral Act, imposing a ₦10 million fine on the plaintiffs and another ₦10 million fine on their counsel, both payable to Senator Kingibe.
