Today, Friday, the Federal High Court in Abuja is scheduled to rule on a lawsuit contesting former President Goodluck Jonathan’s ability to run for president in 2027.
Attorney Johnmary Jideobi filed the lawsuit, which aims to prevent Jonathan from running for president in 2027 on constitutional grounds.
Jonathan’s attorney, Chief Chris Uche, SAN, urged the court to dismiss the case during the prior session, claiming that the Federal High Court and the Court of Appeal had already rendered a decision on the matter.
Uche informed the court that the former president filed a notice of preliminary objection, counter-affidavit, and written address contesting the matter after learning about the lawsuit only through media reports.
However, after the plaintiff and other parties—including the Independent National Electoral Commission, or INEC—failed to show up in court twice in a row, the case was put on hold.
Due to the plaintiff’s persistent absences, the court had threatened to impose costs.
Justice Peter Lifu rejected Jonathan’s attorney’s plea to have the lawsuit dismissed for lack of diligent prosecution, citing the need to give the parties one last chance in order to ensure a fair trial.
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