Court Fixes May 15 For Hearing On Jonathan’s Eligibility For 2027 Election

The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, has fixed May 15 for definite hearing of a suit filed by a lawyer, Johnmary Jideobi, seeking to stop former President Goodluck Jonathan from contesting 2027 presidential election.

Justice Peter Lifu of the adjourned the case following the absence of the plaintiff, Johnmary Jideobi and his lawyer in court without any information.

Apart from the absence of the plaintiff, who is a legal practitioner, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, who are 2nd and 3rd defendants in the matter were also not in court.

Following the absence of the plaintiff and the two defendants, Chief Chris Uche, SAN, who represented former President Goodluck Jonathan, applied to the court to strike out the suit for lack of diligent prosecution.

Having joined issues with each other, Uche said, the suit is liable to dismissal and should be dismissed with a N5 million cost to be awarded against the plaintiff and payable to Jonathan.

He said that from all indications, the plaintiff has abandoned the suit and ran away upon sighting the preliminary objections raised against the suit adding that court is a busy place and not for unserious matters.

Justice Lifu however noted that there was no evidence of service of hearing notice on INEC and AGF to appear in court for the hearing of the suit adding that lack of service of hearing notice is fundamental.

The judge said, rather than striking out the suit, he prefers to bend backward to accommodate the plaintiff and the two defendants for the last time.

While adjourning the matter to May 15, Justice Lifu ordered that, hearing notice be served on the plaintiff and the 2nd and 3rd defendants who were not in court on Monday.

The plaintiff, Johnmary Jideobi
had filed the case seeking an order to restrain Jonathan from presenting himself to any political party as an aspirant for the 2027 election.

He is also asking the court to stop INEC from accepting, processing or publishing Jonathan’s name as a presidential candidate.