ADC Suspension: Ireti Kingibe learns fate May 18
The Federal High Court, Abuja Division, on Wednesday, fixed May 18 to deliver judgment in the suit seeking to uphold the indefinite suspension of Senator Ireti Kingibe by the Wuse Ward chapter of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
At the resumed hearing of the matter, Counsel to Kingibe, Marshall Abubakar, told the court that the case had no merit as it was purely an internal affair of the party.
According to Mr Abubakar, the case ought to be dismissed with punitive cost.
He said that the party had a procedure for addressing cases such as the one before the court but that that procedure was not followed by the plaintiffs.
“The defendant was never invited for anything nor was there any complaint against her,” he said.
He added that the plaintiffs had no locus to institute the suit as they were themselves suspended by the party and moreover, it was only the National Working Committee, (NWC) of the party that could suspend a member and not other members.
The lawyer prayed the court to dismiss the matter in its entirety and award a N25 million punitive cost against the plaintiffs.
In his arguments, Counsel to the plaintiffs, I.G Ogugua, prayed the court to dismiss the arguments of the defendant.
According to Mr Ogugua, there is nothing sacrosant about the internal affairs of a political party where the constitution is breached.
Earlier, Mr Abubakar argued an application challenging the jurisdiction of the court to hear the matter.
He premised his argument on the grounds that the matter at hand was an internal affair of the party.
Mr Ogugua, however, countered the argument and prayed the court to dismiss it for being unmeritorius as the court had requisite jurisdiction to hear and determine the matter.
The judge, Justice Peter Lifu, having listened to all the arguments, fixed May 18 to deliver judgment.
The suit is seeking an order of the court to uphold Ms Kingibe’s suspension by the Wuse Ward chapter of the ADC.
Ms Kingibe, representing the Federal Capital Territory in the Senate, was suspended indefinitely by the ADC Wuse ward chapter.
The ward cited alleged anti-party activities and violations of the party’s constitution as grounds for the suspension.
(NAN
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette
Agriculture
FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology
The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices
Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”
World
11 dead as wildfire ravages southern Spain
At least 11 people have been killed and eight injured as wildfire ravages Los Gallardos, Almería, in Southern Spain.
Lagos
Residents commend waste evacuation in Lagos
The ongoing evacuation of accumulated waste by the Lagos government has drawn commendation from residents.
Anti-Corruption
Again, court adjourns judgement in forfeiture case against Malami
The EFCC had, in the suit, sought the final forfeiture of the properties reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities.
Africa
Anti-migrant protests risk economic blowback for South Africa: Economists
Economists warned on Friday that the departure of foreign workers in South Africa could hurt the labour market.
Africa
Senegal’s top court calls parliament-backed reform unconstitutional
Senegal’s top court has struck down changes to the country’s constitution that would have altered the balance of power in government.
Health
WHO warns Sudan’s cholera outbreak may get worse
The World Health Organisation warned on Friday that the cholera outbreak in Sudan could get worse amid war, displacement and the onset of the rainy season.
