Federal High Court Adjourns African Democratic Congress Suit Seeking to Bar Senator Ireti Kingibe Until June

The Federal High Court in Abuja adjourns the suit to bar Senator Ireti Kingibe from the ADC until June 9. Read the details of the Wuse Ward suspension case.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 20, 2026, 11:23 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Ripples Nigeria

Legal Battle Over Senatorial Party Affiliation

The Federal High Court in Abuja has extended the timeline for a high-profile legal dispute involving Senator Ireti Kingibe and the leadership of the African Democratic Congress. Justice Peter Lifu presided over the Monday session, where the court was tasked with addressing a suit that aims to formally strip the Federal Capital Territory representative of her status within the party. The adjournment marks a significant pause in a case that has highlighted deep internal divisions within the ADC’s local organizational structure.

Procedural Delays in the Federal High Court

The decision to push the hearing to June 9 followed a specific application for an adjournment by I. G. Ogugwa, counsel for the plaintiffs. During the proceedings, Ogugwa clarified that the matter is not being treated as a pre-election case, which often requires an expedited timeline. This distinction allowed the court to grant a longer window before the next hearing, providing both legal teams additional time to prepare their arguments regarding the Senator's standing.

Judicial Refusal of Preliminary Restraining Order

Prior to this adjournment, the court had already signaled a cautious approach to the internal party dispute. On April 2, Justice Lifu refused to grant an ex-parte motion that would have immediately restrained Senator Kingibe from performing her functions as an ADC member. Instead, the judge ordered the plaintiffs to formally put the lawmaker on notice, requiring her to show cause as to why the requested legal reliefs should be granted. This procedural step ensures that the lawmaker has the opportunity to defend her position before any court mandate is issued.