Federal High Court Refuses Interim Injunction Against Senator Ireti Kingibe Following Alleged Party Suspension

Justice Peter Lifu declines an interim order to stop Senator Ireti Kingibe from ADC activities, ordering that she be heard before any ruling on her suspension.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 3, 2026, 3:49 AM EDT

Source: The information in this article was sourced from THISDAYLIVE

Judicial Restraint in Internal Party Disputes

Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja has denied a request for an interim injunction aimed at stopping Senator Ireti Kingibe from parading herself as a member of the African Democratic Congress (ADC). The Senator, who represents the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), is currently facing a legal challenge from leaders within the Wuse Ward of the party. Justice Lifu emphasized that the power to prohibit a serving lawmaker from political activities must be exercised judiciously. He maintained that justice is best served by hearing the merits of the case from both sides rather than granting a unilateral restraining order at the preliminary stage.

Allegations of Anti-Party Activities and Misconduct

The lawsuit, marked FHC/ABJ/CV/539/2026, was initiated by Okezuo Godfrey Anayo and Isaiah Ojonugwa Samuel on behalf of themselves and other ward members. The plaintiffs allege that Senator Kingibe was officially suspended on March 10, 2026, following accusations of gross misconduct, anti-party activities, and the unauthorized confiscation of statutory ward records. They contend that the suspension followed the due process outlined in the ADC Constitution and was ratified by a two-thirds majority of the executive committee. Despite this, they claim the Senator has continued to issue press statements and hold parallel meetings, which they describe as a flagrant disregard for the party's internal mechanisms.

Ensuring Fair Hearing and Notice to the Defendant

In declining the ex-parte application, Justice Lifu directed the plaintiffs to put the Senator on notice. He ordered that all court processes be served to her immediately to ensure she is fully aware of the suit and can prepare a robust defense. This decision reinforces the principle of fair hearing, ensuring that a sitting Senator's political rights are not truncated without the opportunity to respond to allegations. The judge noted that the matter involves significant political consequences and, as such, requires a full hearing of all applications rather than a summary temporary ban.