By Nchetachi Chukwuajah
The Federal High Court in Abuja has rejected an ex-parte application seeking to bar the lawmaker representing the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Senator Ireti Kingibe, from participating in the activities of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Justice Peter Lifu gave the ruling on Thursday, April 2, on the request by some ward leaders of the party in Wuse, who alleged that the senator had been suspended over anti-party activities.
The court instead directed the plaintiffs to put the lawmaker on notice to enable her to respond to the allegations.
The ward leaders had approached the court to restrain Kingibe from parading herself as a member of the party and from participating in its activities.
A lawyer, Abubakar Marshall, who claimed to represent the senator, informed the court that he had filed a preliminary objection challenging the suit, adding that the objection had been served on the plaintiffs’ counsel, M. S. Garba.
In his ruling, Justice Lifu held that the court must exercise its discretion judicially and judiciously, particularly in political matters.
He stated that justice would only be served if both parties were given the opportunity to present their cases on merit.
Justice Lifu consequently ordered that all court processes be served on the senator to enable her to prepare her defence.
The judge adjourned the matter till April 20 for the hearing of all pending applications.
Recall that the plaintiffs, Okezuo Anayo and Isaiah Samuel, instituted the suit on behalf of themselves and other ward members, with Kingibe listed as the sole defendant.
In their ex parte application, the plaintiffs claimed that Kingibe was suspended on March 10 by the Wuse Ward executives over alleged anti-party activities and disregard for the party’s constitution.
They urged the court to grant an interim injunction restraining her from acting as a member of the party pending the determination of a motion on notice.
The plaintiffs specifically sought an order barring her from attending meetings, performing functions reserved for party members, or representing the party in any capacity.
They also prayed the court to restrain her from interfering in the administration of the ward, including its register and other official activities.
The plaintiffs anchored their suit on five grounds, including allegations of gross misconduct and confiscation of ward records.
They argued that her suspension followed due process as stipulated in the party’s constitution and was ratified by a two-thirds majority of the ward executive committee.
According to them, despite being notified of the suspension, Kingibe continued to hold parallel meetings, issue press statements as a party member and allegedly used security aides to intimidate ward executives.
