The Federal High Court in Abuja has struck out a legal battle, seeking to prohibit Senator Ireti Kingibe from participating in all activities of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, following her alleged suspension from the party by the Wuse Ward Executive in Abuja.
Justice Peter Odo Lifu, in a ruling on Friday, held that the issue of discipline and suspension upon which the suit was predicated was an internal affairs of the ADC, which did not need the intervention of any Court.
Senator Kingibe, representing the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, in the Senate, was said to have been suspended on March 10 by her Wuse Ward Executive, and also allegedly ratified by two thirds of the leaders on allegations of anti-party activities and disregard to the Constitution of the ADC.
In the suit filed on their behalf, by a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Kolawole Olowookere, and argued before Justice Lifu, the aggrieved ADC members in Wuse, Abuja, applied for an order of interim injunction restraining Kingibe from parading herself as a member of ADC pending the hearing and determination of their motion on notice for interlocutory injunction.
They also asked the judge to restrain the Senator from performing any function, attending meetings or performing activities reserved for ADC members or representing the party in any activities.
However, in his ruling, Justice Peter Lifu wondered why those who suspended the Senator were in the court to seek validation of their own action by court.
The Judge held that it is Senator Ireti Kingibe, being the one suspended, to be in court to fight against the disciplinary action against her; adding that the plaintiffs were not sure of themselves in their own action, hence, they rushed to the court.
While holding that the suit was frivolous, baseless and unfounded, Justice Peter Lifu invoked section 82 and 83 of the Electoral Act and imposed N10 million fine on the plaintiffs to be paid to the FCT Senator.
The judge imposed another fine of N10 million against the lawyer, who filed the frivolous suit on behalf of the plaintiffs, to be also paid to Ireti Kingibe.
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