The Federal High Court in Abuja is expected to deliver judgment today, Friday, on a suit challenging former President Goodluck Jonathan’s eligibility to contest the 2027 presidential election.
The suit, filed by a lawyer, Johnmary Jideobi, seeks to restrain Jonathan from participating in the 2027 presidential race on constitutional grounds.
At the previous sitting, Jonathan, through his lawyer, Chief Chris Uche, SAN, urged the court to dismiss the case, arguing that the issue had already been decided by both the Federal High Court and the Court of Appeal.
Uche told the court that the former president only became aware of the suit through media reports, prompting the filing of a notice of preliminary objection, counter-affidavit and written address challenging the case.
However, proceedings were stalled after the plaintiff and other parties, including the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, failed to appear in court on two consecutive occasions.
The court had warned that it could award costs against the plaintiff over the repeated absence.
Although Jonathan’s lawyer asked the court to strike out the suit for lack of diligent prosecution, Justice Peter Lifu declined the request, saying it was necessary to give the parties one final opportunity in the interest of fair hearing.
The judge subsequently ordered that fresh hearing notices be served on the plaintiff, INEC and the Attorney-General of the Federation before adjourning the matter for judgment.