The Federal High Court has struck out a suit seeking to stop Ireti Kingibe from participating in the activities of the African Democratic Congress.

Delivering judgment in Abuja, Justice Peter Lifu ruled that issues relating to discipline and suspension within a political party are internal matters that do not require court intervention.

The suit stemmed from the alleged suspension of Senator Kingibe by executives of the ADC in Wuse Ward on March 10 over accusations of anti-party activities and alleged disregard for the party’s constitution.

The suspension was also said to have been ratified by two-thirds of party leaders in the ward.

The aggrieved ADC members, through their counsel, Senior Advocate of Nigeria Kolawole Olowookere, had asked the court to issue an interim injunction restraining Kingibe from presenting herself as a member of the party pending the determination of the substantive suit.

They further sought an order preventing the senator from attending party meetings, carrying out functions reserved for party members, or interfering in the administration of the ward and its records.

The plaintiffs based their suit on allegations including anti-party activities, gross misconduct, and confiscation of statutory ward documents.

However, Justice Lifu questioned why the same individuals who carried out the suspension were seeking judicial validation of their own action.

According to the judge, it should have been Kingibe as the affected party approaching the court to challenge the disciplinary measure if she considered it unjust.

The court described the suit as frivolous, baseless and unfounded.

Invoking Sections 82 and 83 of the Electoral Act, Justice Lifu imposed a ₦10 million fine on the plaintiffs, payable to Senator Kingibe.

The court also slammed an additional ₦10 million fine on the lawyer who filed the suit on behalf of the plaintiffs, ordering that the amount equally be paid to the FCT senator.