BREAKING: Court Declines Move to Bar Senator Kingibe from ADC Activities

April 2, 2026 | Abuja, Nigeria

Senator Ireti Kingibe

The Federal High Court in Abuja has rejected an ex parte application seeking to bar Senator Ireti Kingibe from participating in the activities of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

Presiding over the matter, Justice Peter Lifu ruled on Thursday that the request could not be granted without first allowing the defendant to respond, emphasizing the need for fair hearing in politically sensitive cases.

Court Emphasizes Fair Hearing

Justice Lifu held that judicial discretion must be exercised “judicially and judiciously,” particularly in matters involving political disputes. He stressed that justice would only be served if both parties are given equal opportunity to present their arguments.

Rather than granting the injunction, the court directed the plaintiffs to formally notify Senator Kingibe, enabling her to respond to the allegations.

Background to the Dispute

The suit was filed by ward leaders from Wuse in the Federal Capital Territory, reportedly aligned with FCT Minister Nyesom Wike. The plaintiffs alleged that Kingibe had been suspended over anti-party activities and sought an interim order restraining her from:

• Presenting herself as a member of the ADC
• Attending party meetings
• Performing functions reserved for party members
• Interfering in ward administration

According to court filings, the plaintiffs claimed her suspension on March 10, 2026, followed due process and was ratified by a two-thirds majority of the ward executive committee.

They further accused the senator of organizing parallel meetings, issuing statements in the party’s name, and allegedly intimidating ward officials.

Defence Pushes Back

A legal representative for the senator, Abubakar Marshall, informed the court that a preliminary objection challenging the suit had already been filed and served on the plaintiffs’ counsel.

Next Steps

The court has adjourned the case to April 20, 2026, for the hearing of all pending applications.

The ruling marks a procedural win for Senator Kingibe, ensuring her continued participation in party affairs—at least until the substantive issues are fully determined.