Senator Ireti Kingibe has secured a N20 million court award after the Federal High Court in Abuja dismissed a suit seeking to validate her suspension from the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Justice Peter Lifu, who delivered judgment on Friday, ruled against the plaintiffs and awarded punitive costs of N20 million in favour of the senator.
The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CV/539/2026, was filed by Okezuo Anayo and Isaiah Samuel on behalf of the ADC Ward Executive Committee in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The plaintiffs had asked the court to uphold Senator Kingibe’s suspension by the Wuse Ward Executive Committee of the party and stop her from presenting herself as a member of the ADC.
According to the plaintiffs, the suspension was carried out on March 10 over allegations that included insubordination and anti-party activities.
“The suspension was duly communicated to the defendant and relevant party organs,” Samuel stated in an affidavit before the court.
He added, “Despite the said suspension, the defendant continues to parade herself as a card-carrying member of the ADC.”
The plaintiffs also told the court that they were concerned Kingibe “may continue to present and hold herself out publicly as a member of the party unless restrained by an order of this honourable court.”
Among the reliefs sought were declarations affirming the suspension and an order restraining the senator from parading herself as a member of the ADC pending the determination of her disciplinary status within the party.
However, Justice Lifu dismissed the suit, holding that the matter was an intra-party dispute beyond the jurisdiction of the court.
The court also refused to stop Ireti Kingibe from participating in ADC activities or presenting herself as a member of the party.
