The Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned a suit seeking to stop Senator Ireti Kingibe from presenting herself as a member of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) until June 9.
The case, which came up on Monday, was postponed by Justice Peter Lifu following a request for adjournment by counsel to the plaintiffs, I. G. Ogugwa. The lawyer informed the court that the matter was not a pre-election case and asked for more time, a request the court granted.
The legal dispute stems from internal tensions within the ADC, as two executive members of the party in Wuse Ward, Abuja, challenge Kingibe’s continued association with the party. The plaintiffs, Okezuo Kanayo, chairman of the ward, and Isaiah Samuel, the secretary, filed the suit against the senator, who currently represents the Federal Capital Territory in the Senate.
Earlier, on April 2, the court declined to grant an interim injunction that would have restrained Kingibe from acting as a member of the ADC. Instead, Justice Lifu directed that she be notified to appear and show cause why the reliefs sought by the plaintiffs should not be granted.
The judge had initially fixed April 20 for the hearing of all pending applications, including a preliminary objection filed by Kingibe’s counsel, Marshall Abubakar. However, the latest adjournment shifts proceedings to June 9.
The plaintiffs had approached the court through their lawyer, Kolawole Olowookere (SAN), with an ex-parte motion dated March 17. They sought an interim order to bar Kingibe from participating in party activities pending the determination of the substantive suit.
In their arguments, the plaintiffs maintained that although Kingibe is a serving senator, she remains subject to the rules and constitution of the ADC as a party member. They alleged that she engaged in anti-party activities, committed gross misconduct, and was involved in the seizure of the ward’s official records.
Based on these claims, the Wuse Ward Executive Committee reportedly suspended Kingibe on March 10, a decision that triggered the ongoing legal battle.
The case highlights growing internal disputes within the party, with the court expected to determine the legality of the suspension and Kingibe’s status within the ADC when proceedings resume.
