The Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday declined an ex parte application seeking to bar Senator Ireti Kingibe from participating in the activities of the African Democratic Congress.
Justice Peter Lifu, in a ruling, refused the request by some ward leaders of the party in Wuse, Federal Capital Territory, who alleged that the senator had been suspended over anti-party activities.
Instead, the court directed the plaintiffs to put the lawmaker on notice to enable her to respond to the allegations and join issues with them.
The ward leaders, said to be loyal to the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, had approached the court to restrain Kingibe from parading herself as a member of the party and from participating in its activities.
Ruling on the application, Justice Lifu held that the court must exercise its discretion judicially and judiciously, particularly in political matters.
He stated that justice would only be served if both parties were given the opportunity to present their cases on merit.
The judge consequently ordered that all court processes be served on the senator to enable her to prepare her defence.
