The Federal High Court in Abuja has criticised the delay in prosecuting a suit seeking to disqualify former President Goodluck Jonathan from contesting the 2027 presidential election.
Justice Peter Lifu, who presided over the matter on Friday, imposed a N1m fine on the plaintiff, Johnmary Jideobi, and his counsel, Ndubuisi Ukpai, over what the court described as lack of diligence in handling the case.
The judge said the conduct of the plaintiff caused unnecessary delay in a matter with political implications that required accelerated hearing.
According to the court, the plaintiff failed to properly serve key defendants, including the Independent National Electoral Commission and the Attorney-General of the Federation, despite the suit being filed since October 2025.
Justice Lifu noted that political matters should be treated with urgency in line with judicial policy.
“I have taken judicial notice of INEC’s timetable. The duty of this court is to ensure political cases are given accelerated hearing and disposed of expeditiously,” the judge stated.
The court ordered the plaintiff to serve all pending court processes on INEC and the Attorney-General of the Federation within two hours.
The judge also directed the second and third defendants to file their responses before 11am on May 18, 2026.
Justice Lifu subsequently adjourned the matter till May 18 for hearing of the substantive suit and pending applications.
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The plaintiff, Johnmary Jideobi, is seeking a court order restraining former President Goodluck Jonathan from contesting the 2027 presidential election and preventing INEC from accepting or publishing his name as a candidate.
During proceedings, counsel to Jonathan, Chief Chris Uche (SAN), criticised the plaintiff for repeatedly delaying the matter and urged the court to dismiss the suit.
However, counsel to the plaintiff later apologised for arriving late to court, claiming their vehicle broke down on the way.
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