Court Throws Out Case Seeking to Stop Jonathan’s Presidential Bid

A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has dismissed a suit seeking to stop former President Goodluck Jonathan from contesting the 2027 presidential election.

Delivering judgment on Tuesday, Justice Peter Lifu ruled that the plaintiff, Johnmary Jideobi, lacked the legal standing to institute the suit because he failed to establish how Jonathan’s possible ambition directly affected him.

The court also imposed financial penalties against the lawyer who filed the case, awarding N20 million damages in favour of Jonathan and an additional N1 million in favour of the Attorney-General of the Federation.

Justice Lifu held that the issue surrounding Jonathan’s eligibility had already been settled by competent courts.

According to the judge, both the Federal High Court in Yenagoa and the Court of Appeal had previously ruled that the former president remains eligible to contest future presidential elections.

He noted that the appellate court’s decision remains binding and valid.

The judge subsequently described the fresh suit as an abuse of court process and dismissed it in its entirety.

Justice Lifu also rejected an application by the plaintiff seeking his withdrawal from the matter, describing the request as frivolous and lacking merit.

The plaintiff had dragged Jonathan, the Independent National Electoral Commission and the Attorney-General of the Federation before the court over the former president’s eligibility for the 2027 presidential election.

The ruling is expected to fuel fresh political conversations over Jonathan’s possible return to active presidential politics ahead of the next general election.