The Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday granted an order permitting the Wuse Ward Executive Committee of the African Democratic Congress to serve court documents on Senator Ireti Kingibe through substituted means.
Justice Peter Lifu issued the order after counsel to the plaintiffs, B.A. Nenuwa, moved an ex parte application seeking the court’s permission to serve the lawmaker through alternative channels.
Nenuwa told the court that the request became necessary after several attempts to personally serve Kingibe, who represents the Federal Capital Territory in the Senate, proved unsuccessful.
In his ruling, Justice Lifu granted permission for the plaintiffs to serve the senator with all court processes, including the originating summons and motions, through her legislative aides or secretary at her office in the National Assembly Complex, Abuja.
“The service when effected, shall be deemed as good, proper and regular service on the defendant,” the judge ruled.
Shortly after the ruling, Marshall Abubakar announced his appearance for Kingibe and informed the court of his intention to obtain the documents filed in the suit.
Justice Lifu directed Abubakar to liaise with the plaintiffs’ counsel to receive the court processes. The court subsequently adjourned the matter until April 2 for a hearing.
The suit was filed by two executive members of the ADC in Wuse Ward, Abuja, the ward chairman, Okezuo Kanayo, and the secretary, Isaiah Samuel.
Through their lawyer, Maxwell Opara, the plaintiffs are seeking a court order restraining Kingibe from presenting herself as a member of the party.
The originating motion, filed on March 13, asks the court to declare that the Wuse Ward Executive Committee has the authority under the ADC constitution to discipline and suspend members within its jurisdiction.
They also urged the court to affirm that the senator’s suspension by the ward executive committee remains valid and subsisting.
In an affidavit supporting the suit, Samuel stated that Kingibe was registered as a member of the ADC in Wuse Ward.
He said the ward executive committee received complaints in 2026 alleging that the senator engaged in actions contrary to the party’s constitution.
According to him, the complaints led to her suspension over alleged anti-party activities.
The plaintiffs further asked the court to declare that the ADC National Working Committee cannot lawfully recognise Kingibe as a member of the party while the suspension remains in force.