Court strikes out suit against Kingibe, fines plaintiffs, lawyer N30m

The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has struck out a suit seeking to uphold the indefinite suspension of the senator representing the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Ireti Kingibe, by the Wuse Ward chapter of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

Delivering judgement on Friday, Justice Peter Lifu held that issues relating to discipline and suspension within a political party remained the internal affairs of the party and did not require judicial intervention.

Justice Lifu questioned why the same party officials who suspended the senator approached the court to validate their own action.

Justice Lifu held that it ought to have been the suspended senator challenging the disciplinary action if she felt aggrieved.

He said the plaintiffs’ decision to seek judicial endorsement of their action suggested a lack of confidence in their own action.

The judge subsequently described the suit as frivolous, baseless, and unfounded.

Invoking Sections 82 and 83 of the Electoral Act, the judge awarded a cost of N10 million against the plaintiffs in favour of Kingibe.

Justice Lifu 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.

It would be recalled that Kingibe was suspended by the Wuse Ward Executives on March 10.

How I pushed Obi to greet Tinubu at Vatican — Fayemi

The executive members said they suspended the senator for alleged anti-party activities and alleged disregard for the ADC constitution.

The suspension was said to have been ratified by two-thirds of the ward leadership.

The plaintiffs, Okezuo Kanayo and Isaiah Samuel, in the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CV/539/2026, instituted the action on behalf of themselves and other ward members, with Kingibe listed as the sole defendant.

The plaintiffs prayed the court to restrain Kingibe from attending party meetings, performing functions reserved for ADC members, or representing the party in any capacity.

They also asked the court to stop Kingibe from interfering in the administration of the ward, including access to the ward register and other official activities.