Court Approves Substituted Service for Senator Kingibe in ADC Suspension Case

The Federal High Court in Abuja has authorized the Wuse Ward Executive Committee of the African Democratic Party (ADC) to effect service of court documents on Senator Ireti Kingibe through alternative methods. This directive was issued by Justice Peter Lifu on Thursday.

Justice Lifu granted the ex parte motion, which was presented by the plaintiffs' counsel, B. A. Nenuwa. The court was informed that serving Mrs. Kingibe, the current senator representing the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), with all necessary legal documents for the ongoing suit had proven challenging.

Consequently, the court permitted the originating processes, motions, and any other relevant legal documents in the suit to be delivered to the senator via her legislative aides or secretary at her office within the National Assembly Complex in Abuja. The judge stipulated that such service would be considered adequate and legally binding.

Following the ruling, Marshall Abubakar entered an appearance for Senator Kingibe. He informed the court of his intention to obtain copies of the suit's documents, a request granted by Justice Lifu, who advised Mr. Abubakar to coordinate with the plaintiffs' legal team for the handover.

The court has scheduled the next hearing for April 2.

The lawsuit was initiated by two executive members of the ADC's Wuse Ward, Okezuo Kanayo (Chairman) and Isaiah Samuel (Secretary), through their legal representative, Maxwell Opara. They are seeking a court order to prevent Mrs. Kingibe from presenting herself as a member of the party.

The originating motion, filed on March 13, requests a declaration that the Wuse Ward Executive Committee possesses the authority to discipline and suspend party members within its jurisdiction, as per the ADC's constitution. The plaintiffs also seek a declaration confirming the validity and ongoing status of Mrs. Kingibe's suspension by the Ward Executive Committee.

Furthermore, they aim to obtain a declaration that Mrs. Kingibe cannot legally claim to be a registered member of the party while her suspension is active. They also want the court to declare that the National Working Committee (NWC) of the ADC should not recognize her as a party member at any level during her suspension period.

In an affidavit supporting the motion, the Wuse Ward Secretary, Mr. Samuel, stated that Senator Kingibe is a registered member of the ADC in their ward. He claimed that in 2026, the Ward Executive Committee received complaints about actions allegedly violating the party's constitution, including accusations of anti-party activities, which led to her suspension.

(NAN)