The Federal High Court in Abuja has struck out a suit seeking to stop Ireti Kingibe from participating in the activities of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Gatekeepers News reports that delivering judgment, Justice Peter Lifu held that issues relating to discipline and suspension within a political party are internal affairs that do not require judicial intervention.
Kingibe was reportedly suspended on March 10 by executives of the ADC in Wuse Ward over allegations of anti-party activities and disregard for the party’s constitution. The suspension was also said to have been ratified by two-thirds of the ward leaders.
The aggrieved ADC members, through their counsel, Senior Advocate of Nigeria Kolawole Olowookere, had asked the court to issue an interim injunction restraining the senator from parading herself as a member of the ADC pending the determination of their motion on notice.
They also sought an order preventing her from performing party-related functions, attending meetings, or representing the ADC in any official capacity.
In addition, the ward executive committee requested that the senator be restrained from interfering in the administration of the ward, including access to the ward register and other party activities.
The plaintiffs based their suit on allegations that Kingibe engaged in anti-party activities, gross misconduct, and confiscation of statutory ward records.
However, Justice Lifu questioned why the same individuals who suspended the senator were seeking validation of their action through the court.
According to the judge, it was Kingibe — as the person allegedly affected by the disciplinary action — who should have approached the court if she intended to challenge the suspension.
The court held that the plaintiffs appeared uncertain about their own decision and unnecessarily resorted to litigation.
Describing the suit as frivolous, baseless, and unfounded, Justice Lifu invoked Sections 82 and 83 of the Electoral Act and imposed a ₦10 million fine on the plaintiffs, payable to Kingibe.
The judge also imposed an additional ₦10 million fine on the lawyer who filed the suit on behalf of the plaintiffs, ordering that the amount also be paid to the FCT senator.
