A Federal High Court in Abuja has criticised a lawyer, Johnmary Jideobi, and his counsel over what the court described as a lack of seriousness in prosecuting a suit aimed at preventing former President Goodluck Jonathan from contesting the 2027 presidential election.
Justice Peter Lifu, who presided over the matter on Friday, condemned the conduct of the plaintiff and imposed a ₦1 million cost against Jideobi in favour of the former president.
The judge described the actions of the plaintiff and his legal team as “unacceptable,” noting that the case had suffered repeated delays due to their conduct.
Delivering his ruling, Justice Lifu stated that the suit was originally filed on October 6, 2025, but the plaintiff failed to properly serve critical parties in the matter, including the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), who were listed as the second and third defendants.
“I have carefully and painstakingly considered all the submissions and prayers of the learned counsel in this matter,” the judge said.
“As this court has earlier ruled and ordered, this case has a character of politics.”
Justice Lifu added that the court had already taken judicial notice of INEC’s election timetable and stressed the need for speedy handling of politically sensitive cases.
The court subsequently ordered the plaintiff to ensure all legal processes were served on INEC and the AGF within two hours.
The judge also expressed displeasure that neither the plaintiff nor his counsel appeared in court during previous adjourned dates despite the hearing dates being fixed at the request of the plaintiff’s legal team.
“No doubt, cause follows event,” Justice Lifu stated.
“This case is for hearing today, and the hearing has been frustrated or aborted due to the tardiness of the plaintiff, who is a lawyer by training and calling.
“Consequently, I hold that punishment should lie where the fault is.”
Following the ruling, the court awarded ₦1 million in costs against the plaintiff in favour of Jonathan.
Earlier during proceedings, counsel to the former president, Chris Uche, urged the court to dismiss the suit entirely over what he described as repeated disrespect to the court by the plaintiff and his lawyer.
Uche accused them of showing “absolute disdain and disrespect to the court.”
“The plaintiff thinks he can hold the court and other parties to ransom and stay back in the comfort of his house and drag all of us to court,” he argued.
“They think the courts are toothless bulldogs, and the dignity of the court must be protected, my lord.”
During the proceedings, counsel to the plaintiff, Ndubuisi Ukpai, later appeared in court and apologised for his late arrival.
“My lord, I am sorry. I am for the plaintiff. Our vehicle broke down on the way,” he told the court.
After hearing all parties, Justice Lifu adjourned the case until May 18 for the hearing of pending applications and the substantive suit.
