The Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed 18 May for judgment in a suit challenging the indefinite suspension of Ireti Kingibe, the senator representing the Federal Capital Territory, by the Wuse Ward chapter of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
At the resumed hearing on Wednesday, counsel to Kingibe argued that the case lacked merit, describing it as an internal party matter that should not be adjudicated by the court.
He maintained that the plaintiffs failed to follow the party’s internal dispute resolution mechanisms before approaching the court, insisting that no formal complaint or invitation was ever issued to the senator prior to the suspension.
The lawyer further argued that the plaintiffs lacked the legal standing to institute the suit, noting that they themselves were reportedly suspended by the party. He also contended that, under the party’s constitution, only the National Working Committee had the authority to suspend a member.
He urged the court to dismiss the suit and impose a punitive cost of ₦25 million against the plaintiffs.
In response, counsel to the plaintiffs asked the court to reject the defence’s arguments, insisting that violations of a party’s constitution cannot be shielded under the guise of internal affairs.
He argued that once constitutional breaches are alleged, the court has jurisdiction to intervene.
Earlier in the proceedings, the defence also challenged the court’s jurisdiction, maintaining that the dispute was strictly an internal political party matter.
