A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the Wuse Ward Executive Committee of the African Democratic Congress to serve court documents on Ireti Kingibe through substituted means.

Justice Peter Lifu gave the order on Thursday after an ex parte application was moved by counsel to the plaintiffs, B. A. Nenuwa. The lawyer explained that repeated attempts to personally serve the senator with court papers had failed, necessitating the request.

Granting the application, the court permitted that all legal processes in the suit be delivered to Kingibe’s legislative aides or secretary at her office within the National Assembly Complex in Abuja.

Justice Lifu ruled that once carried out, such service would be recognised as valid and sufficient.

Following the ruling, Marshall Abubakar announced his appearance on behalf of the senator and requested access to the case documents, which the court approved. The judge further directed him to liaise with the plaintiffs’ counsel to obtain the necessary filings.

The matter was adjourned to April 2 for hearing.

The suit was instituted by two officials of the ADC in Wuse Ward, Chairman Mr Okezuo Kanayo and Secretary Mr Isaiah Samuel, through their lawyer, Maxwell Opara. Filed on March 13, the case challenges Kingibe’s status within the party.

The plaintiffs are asking the court to affirm that the Wuse Ward Executive Committee holds the authority under the party’s constitution to discipline and suspend members within its jurisdiction. They are also seeking validation of the senator’s suspension, insisting it remains in effect.

Additionally, they want the court to declare that Kingibe cannot present herself as a member of the party while the suspension subsists, and that the party’s National Working Committee should not recognise her in any capacity during that period.

In an affidavit, Secretary Isaiah Samuel stated that the senator is registered under Wuse Ward and that complaints were received in 2026 alleging conduct inconsistent with party rules. He accused her of engaging in anti-party activities, which he said prompted the disciplinary action against her.