Fidelia Soriwei, Abuja
A Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed a suit seeking to bar former President Goodluck Jonathan from participating in the 2027 presidential election, affirming earlier judicial decisions that upheld his eligibility to contest.
In a judgment delivered on Tuesday, Justice Peter Lifu threw out the case filed by lawyer Johnmary Jideobi, ruling that the plaintiff lacked the legal standing to challenge Jonathan’s potential participation in the next presidential poll.
The plaintiff had requested the court to stop INEC from accepting, processing or publishing Jonathan’s name as a presidential candidate.
He asked he court to determine whether, Sections 1(1), (2), (3) and 137(3) of the 1999 Constitution, allows Jonathan to run for the office of president.
The judge held that the plaintiff failed to demonstrate any personal injury, loss, or legal interest arising from Jonathan’s perceived intention to seek office.
Justice Lifu said previous judicial pronouncements had already settled the issue, noting that both a Federal High Court in Yenagoa and the Court of Appeal had affirmed Jonathan’s eligibility to run for president.
According to the judge, the Abuja court was bound by the appellate court’s decision.
He consequently described the suit as “an abuse of court process” and dismissed it.
The court also imposed financial penalties against the plaintiff, awarding ₦20 million in costs in favour of the former president.
In addition, Justice Lifu ordered Jideobi to pay ₦1 million to the Attorney-General of the Federation.
The judge equally dismissed an application by the plaintiff seeking his withdrawal from the matter, describing the motion as frivolous.
Jideobi had instituted the suit against Jonathan, the Independent National Electoral Commission and the Attorney-General of the Federation as first, second and third defendants respectively, seeking a judicial order preventing the former president from taking part in the 2027 election process.
