Court Dismisses Suit Seeking to Bar Kingibe From ADC Activities
The Federal High Court, Abuja, on Friday struck out a suit seeking to uphold the indefinite suspension of Sen. Ireti Kingibe by the Wuse Ward chapter of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Delivering judgment, Justice Peter Lifu held that issues relating to discipline and suspension within a political party remain the internal affairs of the party and do not require judicial intervention.
The judge questioned why the same party officials who suspended the senator approached the court to validate their own action.
He held that it ought to have been the suspended senator challenging the disciplinary action if she felt aggrieved.
Justice Lifu said the plaintiffs’ decision to seek judicial endorsement of their action suggested a lack of confidence in their own decision.
He subsequently described the suit as frivolous, baseless and unfounded.
Invoking Sections 82 and 83 of the Electoral Act, the court awarded a cost of N10 million against the plaintiffs in favour of Kingibe.
The judge also imposed an additional N10 million fine on the plaintiffs’ counsel for filing what he described as a frivolous suit, with the sum equally payable to the senator.
OSUN DEFENDER reports that Kingibe, who represents the Federal Capital Territory in the Senate, was allegedly suspended on March 10 by the Wuse Ward executives.
The ward members said the suspension was based on alleged anti-party activities and alleged disregard for the ADC constitution.
They stated that the suspension was ratified by two-thirds of the ward leadership.
The plaintiffs, Mr Okezuo Kanayo and Isaiah Samuel, filed the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CV/539/2026 on behalf of themselves and other ward members, with Kingibe listed as the sole defendant.
The suit was filed by Mr Kolawole Olowookere, SAN, who sought an interim injunction restraining the senator from parading herself as an ADC member pending determination of the motion on notice.
The plaintiffs also prayed the court to restrain her from attending party meetings, performing party functions, or representing the ADC in any capacity.
They further asked the court to stop her from interfering in the administration of the ward, including access to the ward register and other official activities.
They argued that the senator was suspended for alleged anti-party activities, gross misconduct and alleged confiscation of statutory ward records.
According to them, the suspension followed due process under the ADC constitution and was ratified by a two-thirds majority of the executive members.
They also alleged that despite being notified of her suspension, Kingibe continued to hold parallel meetings and issue statements as an ADC member.
They further claimed she used security personnel to intimidate members of the ward executive.
At the last adjourned date, counsel to Kingibe, Mr Marshall Abubakar, argued that the case had no merit as it was purely an internal affair of the party.
He urged the court to dismiss the suit with punitive cost, adding that the party had a procedure for addressing such disputes which the plaintiffs failed to follow.
He also argued that the defendant was never invited for any hearing and that there was no formal complaint against her.
He added that the plaintiffs lacked locus standi to institute the suit as they were themselves suspended by the party.
Counsel to the plaintiffs, Mr I.G. Ogugua, urged the court to dismiss the defence arguments, insisting that no political party’s internal affairs were sacrosanct where its constitution was allegedly breached.
Titilope Adako is a talented and intrepid journalist, dedicated to shedding light on the untold stories of Osun State and Nigeria. Through incisive reporting, she tackles a broad spectrum of topics, from politics and social justice to culture and entertainment, with a commitment to accuracy, empathy, and inspiring positive change.
