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Federal High Court declines ex parte request against Ireti Kingibe
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Plaintiffs ordered to put senator on notice to respond to allegations
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Case adjourned to April 20 for hearing of pending applications
The Federal High Court has refused an ex parte application seeking to restrain Senator Ireti Kingibe from participating in the activities of the African Democratic Congress.
Justice Peter Lifu, in a ruling delivered in Abuja on Thursday, declined the request filed by some ward leaders in Wuse, Federal Capital Territory, who claimed the lawmaker had been suspended over alleged anti-party activities.
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The court instead directed the plaintiffs to serve the senator with the court processes, stressing that she must be given an opportunity to respond to the allegations and defend herself.
Justice Lifu held that the court must exercise its discretion carefully, particularly in political matters, noting that justice would only be served if all parties were heard on merit.
The plaintiffs, Okezuo Anayo and Isaiah Samuel, had approached the court seeking an interim injunction to stop Kingibe from parading herself as a member of the party or participating in its activities pending the determination of the suit.
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They alleged that the senator was suspended on March 10, 2026, by Wuse Ward executives for alleged misconduct and disregard for party rules, claiming the action followed due process.
The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CV/539/2026, also accused the senator of holding parallel meetings, issuing statements as a party member, and allegedly intimidating ward executives.
However, a lawyer representing the senator, Abubakar Marshall, informed the court that a preliminary objection had already been filed challenging the competence of the suit.
The judge subsequently adjourned the matter until April 20, 2026, for the hearing of all pending applications.
