Court Dismisses Suit Against Ireti Kingibe, Fines Plaintiffs N20m

The Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday dismissed a suit seeking to bar Senator Ireti Kingibe from participating in activities of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), describing the case as frivolous and lacking merit.

Justice Peter Lifu struck out the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CV/539/2026, holding that matters relating to discipline and suspension within a political party are internal affairs not subject to judicial intervention.

The case was filed by Okezuo Godfrey Anayo and Isaiah Ojonugwa Samuel on behalf of themselves and other ward members, with Senator Kingibe named as the sole defendant.

The plaintiffs alleged that the FCT senator was suspended by the Wuse Ward Executive on March 10 over alleged anti-party activities and violation of the ADC constitution, a decision they said was later ratified by a two-thirds majority of ward leaders.

Through their counsel, Kolawole Olowookere (SAN), they sought an interlocutory injunction restraining Kingibe from parading herself as an ADC member, attending party meetings, or performing any official functions pending determination of the suit.

They also asked the court to bar her from interfering in ward administration, including access to party registers and internal records.

However, delivering judgment, Justice Lifu ruled that the issues raised fell squarely within the internal affairs of the political party and were therefore not justiciable.

“The issue of discipline and suspension upon which this suit is predicated is an internal affair of the ADC that does not need the intervention of any court,” he said.

The judge also questioned the basis of the suit, noting inconsistencies in the plaintiffs’ approach and suggesting that those who imposed the suspension ought to have been the ones seeking judicial validation if they were aggrieved.

Justice Lifu consequently dismissed the case as frivolous, baseless and unfounded.

He awarded a total fine of N20 million against the plaintiffs, ordering them to pay N10 million to Senator Kingibe, while also directing their counsel to personally pay an additional N10 million to the senator.