Court fines plaintiff N1m in suit seeking to stop Jonathan’s bid
The Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday rebuked Johnmary Jideobi and his lawyer, Ndubuisi Ukpai, over lack of diligence to pursue the suit filed to stop former President Goodluck Jonathan from contesting in the 2027 presidential election.
Justice Peter Lifu, who described the plaintiff’s and his lawyer’s attitudes as “unacceptable”, awarded a N1 million fine against the plaintiff in favour of the ex-president.
“I have carefully and painstakingly considered all the submissions and prayers of the learners’ counsel in this matter.
“As this court has earlier ruled and ordered, this case has a character of politics.
“I have taken judicial notice of the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) timetable.
“The duty of this court is to ensure that political cases are given accelerated hearings and disposed of expeditiously.
“In that wise, and as earlier stated, this court reiterates the provisions of the National Judicial Policy in case management.
“I hereby order as follows:
“The plaintiff, who filed this suit on October 6, 2025, and has not deemed it fit to serve, is hereby granted grace of two hours from now, that is, 10:30 am, to serve all the processes to the 2nd and 3rd defendants (INEC and AGF) unfailingly.
“The 2nd and 3rd defendants are hereby ordered to file and serve their responses, if any, before 11am on Monday, the 18th of May, 2026.
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