Court Greenlights Substituted Service On Senator Kingibe In ADC Suspension Case

The Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday authorized the Wuse Ward Executive Committee of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to serve court documents on Senator Ireti Kingibe via substituted means.

Justice Peter Lifu granted the order after counsel for the plaintiffs, B.A. Nenuwa, filed an ex parte application seeking permission to serve the senator through alternative channels, citing repeated unsuccessful attempts at personal service.

The judge ruled that the plaintiffs could serve Senator Kingibe 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. Justice Lifu affirmed that such service would be considered valid and proper.

Following the ruling, Senator Kingibe’s lawyer, Marshall Abubakar, appeared in court and indicated his intention to obtain the filed documents. Justice Lifu directed Abubakar to coordinate with the plaintiffs’ counsel to receive the court processes, and the matter was adjourned until April 2 for hearing.

The suit, filed by ADC Wuse Ward Chairman Okezuo Kanayo and Secretary Isaiah Samuel through their lawyer Maxwell Opara, seeks a court order restraining Senator Kingibe from representing herself as a party member. The plaintiffs argue that the ward executive committee, under the ADC constitution, has the authority to discipline and suspend members within its jurisdiction, and they request that the senator’s suspension be upheld.

In an affidavit, Samuel stated that Senator Kingibe was registered with the Wuse Ward ADC and that complaints in 2026 alleging anti-party conduct prompted her suspension. The plaintiffs further urged the court to declare that the ADC National Working Committee cannot recognize Kingibe as a party member while the suspension remains in force.

According to Ireporter Online, the court’s ruling marks a significant step in enforcing the ward’s authority over internal party discipline.