The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja declined, on Thursday, to issue an interim order restraining the Senator representing the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Ireti Kingibe, from participating in all activities of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
In a ruling delivered by Justice Peter Lifu, the court rejected the ex parte motion filed by leaders of the ADC in Wuse Ward of the FCT, who claimed the lawmaker had been suspended from the party.
While refusing the application, Justice Lifu directed the plaintiffs to put the Senator on notice by serving all legal processes on her, enabling her to respond to the suit.
He held that, though the court has the power to grant interim orders, the exercise of such discretion must be done judicially and judiciously.
According to the court, the justice of the case would best be served by hearing all parties in the dispute.
Justice Lifu therefore adjourned the matter until April 20, for the plaintiffs and the lawmaker to appear before him for hearing of the application.
Those behind the suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CV/539/2026, are Okezuo Godfrey Anayo and Isaiah Ojonugwa Samuel, who said they filed the action on behalf of ADC ward members in the FCT.
Senator Kingibe is listed as the sole defendant.
Specifically, the plaintiffs told the court that the lawmaker was suspended on March 10 by her Wuse Ward executives for alleged involvement in anti-party activities and violation of the party’s constitution.
They sought an interim injunction to restrain the defendant from parading herself as a member of the party, pending the hearing and determination of their motion on notice for an interlocutory injunction.
The plaintiffs also prayed the court to restrain the Senator from performing any function, attending meetings, or carrying out activities reserved for ADC members, or from representing the party in any capacity.
They further sought an order barring the defendant from interfering with the administration of the ward, the ward register, and other activities of the party in the FCT.
The plaintiffs told the court that Senator Kingibe’s suspension followed due process under the ADC constitution and was ratified by a two-thirds majority of the Exco members.
They averred that, despite communication of the suspension to the defendant, she has continued to hold parallel meetings, issue press statements as an ADC member, and use her security details to intimidate the executive committee.
“Her actions constitute flagrant disregard of the party’s internal mechanisms,” the plaintiffs insisted.
Meanwhile, during Thursday’s proceedings, Mr. Marshall Abubakar announced his appearance for the defendant.
Abubakar told the court that he had filed a preliminary objection challenging the competence of the suit and had served it on the plaintiffs.
