The Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned until Monday the hearing of a suit challenging former President Goodluck Jonathan’s eligibility to contest the 2027 presidential election.
Justice Peter Lifu fixed the new date after Friday’s proceedings were stalled by issues of service on some defendants. The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, which is listed as a defendant, was absent in court, although a court registrar confirmed that the commission had been served with a hearing notice. There was, however, no evidence before the court that INEC had received the originating summons.
Jonathan was represented by a legal team led by Chief Chris Uche, SAN, while the Attorney-General of the Federation was represented by J. D. Esho. The AGF’s lawyer told the court that the office had not received the originating summons, although Jonathan’s processes opposing the suit had been forwarded to it.
Justice Lifu criticised the plaintiff, Johnmary Jideobi, for what he described as lack of diligence in prosecuting the matter, noting that political cases require accelerated hearing. He ordered the plaintiff to serve INEC and the AGF within two hours and directed both defendants to file any responses before 11 a.m. on Monday, May 18. The court then adjourned the matter to noon the same day for definite hearing of the originating summons and all pending applications.
The court also awarded ₦1 million in costs against the plaintiff in favour of Jonathan, following an application by Uche, who had requested ₦5 million over the delay.
Jideobi is asking the court to determine whether Jonathan is constitutionally eligible to run for president again, given Sections 1 and 137(3) of the 1999 Constitution. His argument is that Jonathan completed the remainder of the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua’s term from 2010 to 2011 and then served a full elected term from 2011 to 2015, meaning another term would exceed the constitutional limit.
Jonathan, through his lawyers, has challenged the competence of the suit and is asking the court to dismiss it.
The plaintiff has also petitioned the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho, seeking reassignment of the case from Justice Lifu. He alleged bias after the judge shortened the time allowed for him to respond to Jonathan’s filings, arguing that the decision violated his right to adequate time to prepare his case.
The case is expected to resume Monday, when the court will hear both the main suit and pending applications.
