A Federal High Court in Abuja has granted an application allowing the Wuse Ward Executive Committee of the African Democratic Party (ADC) to serve court documents on Senator Ireti Kingibe by substituted means, in a suit seeking to restrain her from parading herself as a member of the party.
Justice Peter Lifu issued the order on Friday following an ex-parte motion moved by counsel to the plaintiffs, B. A. Nenuwa.
Nenuwa informed the court that the application had become necessary after repeated attempts to serve the originating processes on the lawmaker, who represents the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in the Senate, proved unsuccessful.
In his ruling, Justice Lifu granted the plaintiffs permission to effect service by delivering all originating processes, motions, and other relevant court documents to Senator Kingibe’s legislative aides or secretary at her office within the National Assembly Complex in Abuja.
“The service when effected, shall be deemed as good, proper and regular service on the defendant,” the judge ruled.
Shortly after the ruling, lawyer Marshall Abubakar appeared before the court to announce an appearance on behalf of Senator Kingibe. Abubakar informed the court of his intention to obtain the case documents, a request which Justice Lifu granted.
The judge directed Abubakar to liaise with the plaintiffs’ counsel to receive the processes, noting that since the lawyer was present in court on behalf of the senator, service could be coordinated through that channel.
The court has adjourned the matter to April 2 for hearing.
The suit was filed by Mr. Okezuo Kanayo, Chairman of ADC, Wuse Ward, and his Secretary, Mr. Isaiah Samuel, through their counsel, Dr. Maxwell Opara. The originating motion, dated and filed on March 13, seeks several declarative reliefs, including a ruling that the Wuse Ward Executive Committee has the constitutional power to discipline and suspend members within its jurisdiction, and that Senator Kingibe’s suspension by the ward remains valid and subsisting.
The plaintiffs are also praying the court to declare that Senator Kingibe cannot lawfully parade herself as a card-carrying member of the ADC during the pendency of her suspension.
In a supporting affidavit, Ward Secretary Isaiah Samuel averred that Senator Kingibe was a registered member of the ADC under the Wuse Ward, but was suspended following complaints of alleged anti-party activities contrary to the party’s constitution.
The court has adjourned the case until April 2, 2026.
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