Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja has rejected the bid of the leaders of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, in Wuse Ward of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, to bar Senator Ireti Kingibe from participating in all activities of the party following her alleged suspension from the party.

Instead, the judge ordered the ward leaders said to be loyal to the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, to put the senator on notice to appear in court to join issues with them on their grievances.

Justice Lifu in a ruling on Thursday held that discretion in such a request for prohibition from party activities and in political matters must be exercised judicially and judiciously.

The judge said justice would be met in the case of the plaintiffs only when the side of the defendant is heard on its merit, along with that of the plaintiffs.

Consequently, the judge ordered that Senator Ireti Kingibe should be served with all court processes by the plaintiffs to enable her become aware of the suit and to prepare her defense.

The judge fixed April 20, 2026, for the plaintiffs and the serving senator to appear before him for hearing of all applications in the matter.

Those who sued the senator in the suit marked FHC/ABJ/ CV/539/2026 are Okezuo Godfrey Anayo and Isaiah Ojonugwa Samuel, on behalf of themselves and ward members as plaintiffs. The senator is the sole defendant.

In their ex-parte application, Kingibe representing the FCT in the Senate was said to have been suspended on March 10, 2026 by her Wuse Ward executives following allegations of anti-party activities and disregard of your cnstitution of the ADC.

In the ex- parte application filed on their behalf by a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, Kolawole Olowookere, the aggrieved ADC members in Wuse Ward applied for an order of interim injunction restraining Kingibe from parading herself as a member of party, pending the hearing and determination of their motion on notice for interlocutory injunction.

They also asked the judge to restrain the senator from performing any function, attending meetings or performing activities reserved for ADC members or representing the party in any activities.

Besides, the Ward Executive Committee had asked that she be restrained from further interfering with the administration of the ward, ward register and other activities.

The suit was predicated on five grounds among which are that Mrs Kingibe was placed on suspension due to anti-party activities, gross misconduct and confiscation of the ward statutory records.

They argued that the suspension followed due process as enshrined in the ADC constitution and ratified by the two thirds majority of the EXCO members.

They averred that despite the communication of the suspension to Kingibe, she has continued to hold parallel meetings, issue press statements as an ADC member, and using her security details to intimidate the executive committee.

“Her actions constitute flagrant disregard to the internal mechanism of the party,” the plaintiffs stated.

Meanwhile, a lawyer, Abubakar Marshall who claimed to be representing the senator, announced that he had filed a preliminary objection against the suit. He added that it was served on M. S. Garba, who stood for the plaintiffs at Thursday’s proceedings.

In a strategic move aimed at strengthening collaboration between law enforcement and the media, Ambassador Cornel Udofia has called on media practitioners and journalists across the country to rally support for the newly appointed Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG), FCID Annex Lagos, Simeon Udofia Akpanudom.

Ambassador Udofia, a respected media personality and Public Relations Officer of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), made this call while congratulating the AIG on his recent appointment.

He emphasized the critical role of the media in promoting transparency, accountability, and effective policing in Nigeria.According to him, the appointment of AIG Udofia Akpanudom is a testament to his wealth of experience, professionalism, and unwavering commitment to service within the Nigeria Police Force.

He described the new AIG as a seasoned officer with a proven track record in crime investigation and administrative leadership.He further urged journalists and media stakeholders to foster a working relationship built on trust, professionalism, and mutual respect with the new AIG, noting that such synergy is essential for effective crime reporting and public enlightenment.

Ambassador Udofia also expressed confidence that under the leadership of AIG Simeon Udofia Akpanudom, the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID), Annex Lagos, will witness enhanced operational efficiency, improved intelligence gathering, and strengthened public trust.

“The media remains a vital partner in nation-building. Supporting credible leadership within the police force is not just necessary but imperative for the safety and stability of our society,” he stated.

He concluded by wishing the AIG a successful tenure and reaffirmed his commitment, alongside other stakeholders, to support initiatives that will promote peace, security, and justice across Lagos State and beyond.

A Nigerian national has been arrested in Bengaluru, India, for allegedly running a major drug distribution network, with authorities recovering MDMA crystals (ecstasy)worth about Rs 2 crore (over N290 million).

The arrest forms part of a wider crackdown on narcotics operations targeting both students and the general public in the city.

According to the Indian Express on Tuesday, the suspect, Samuel Ikkena, 44, was apprehended by the Yelahanka police in Bengaluru, Karnataka State, for allegedly running an MDMA racket disguised as a clothing business.

MDMA, also known as ecstasy, is a psychoactive drug often sold illegally for recreational use.

Ikkena reportedly “procured MDMA near Bannerghatta for Rs 50,000 (around N3.5 million) and sold it at higher rates through a structured illegal network.”

He arrived in India in 2012 on a business visa, initially trading garments in Delhi and Mumbai before moving to Bengaluru in 2025.

Police said investigators recovered 2 kg of MDMA crystals, valued at around Rs 2 crore (N140 million), along with 31.396 kg of cannabis (ganja), 220 g of hydro ganja, additional heroin, and a two-wheeler used for transporting the drugs.

Police Commissioner Seemant Kumar Singh described the total contraband as “estimated at Rs 2.57 crore (N180 million), with a potential street value of approximately Rs 5.14 crore (N360 million).”

Ikenna’s arrest was part of a larger operation that led to 11 arrests, including two foreigners and eight locals, at locations across Bengaluru, including Yelahanka, Adugodi, Bharathinagar, Jalahalli, and Pulakeshinagar. The Adugodi police also arrested Baljit Singh, from Uttar Pradesh, and Arjun Joshi, a Nepalese national, for allegedly supplying heroin in the city.

Police said Joshi, who initially consumed drugs, began selling heroin after sourcing it from Baljit Singh. Authorities recovered 162 g of heroin worth Rs 55 lakh (N3.85 million) and three mobile phones from the duo.

Police said the accused procured drugs from both foreign and interstate suppliers and sold them at inflated prices. Investigators have registered cases under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act and are working to trace the main kingpins behind the network.