The Federal High Court in Abuja has scheduled the next hearing for October 14 regarding a lawsuit aimed at nullifying the nomination of Senator Ireti Kingibe as the African Democratic Party (ADC) candidate for the FCT Senatorial District. Justice Salim Ibrahim granted the adjournment following a mutual request by the legal representatives involved.
During the proceedings, Marshal Abubakar, counsel for Senator Kingibe, entered a protest, noting that his client had not been formally served with the necessary court documentation. Plaintiff counsel Moses Awuru confirmed that while the bailiff was instructed to deliver the papers, the process remained incomplete. The court directed Awuru to ensure all documents reach the defense promptly. Additionally, Justice Ibrahim ordered that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), which was absent from the session, receive proper hearing notices.
The lawsuit was initiated by Mubarak Tijani, an ADC aspirant, through his lawyer Kolawole Olowookere. Tijani contends that the primary election held on May 21 was illegitimate, alleging that official materials were diverted to a private residence belonging to Kingibe in Gudu, Abuja, rather than the authorized venue. He asserts that no genuine accreditation or voting took place and that the resulting declaration of Kingibe as the winner was fabricated. Tijani is seeking a court order to invalidate these results and mandate that the ADC conduct a transparent primary election in accordance with the Electoral Act and party guidelines.
