A Federal High Court in Abuja has officially confirmed former President Goodluck Jonathan’s eligibility to run in the 2027 presidential election.
Justice Peter Lifu delivered the judgment, dismissing the lawsuit that sought to bar Jonathan’s participation.
Court Dismisses Legal Challenge
The court ruled against the plaintiff, lawyer Johnmary Jideobi, who filed the suit challenging Jonathan’s candidacy. Justice Lifu imposed a N20 million fine on Jideobi and an additional N1 million fine in favour of the Attorney-General of the Federation.
Prior Rulings Cited
Justice Lifu emphasized that both a Federal High Court in Yenagoa and an Appeal Court had previously affirmed Jonathan’s eligibility to contest, binding him to those decisions.
Abuse of Court Process
The judge ruled that Jideobi lacked the legal standing to initiate the suit since he had not suffered any direct loss from Jonathan’s anticipated candidacy. The case was dismissed as an abuse of court process and deemed frivolous.