Former President Goodluck Jonathan on Friday challenged a suit filed by lawyer Johnmary Jideobi seeking to bar him from contesting the 2027 presidential election.
Jonathan, through his counsel, Chief Chris Uche (SAN), informed Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja that the defence had filed a conditional appearance, a preliminary objection, a counter-affidavit and a written address urging the court to dismiss the suit.
Uche said the team only became aware of the case through media reports, prompting urgent filings over its implications for Jonathan’s eligibility.
He argued that the matter had already been decided by the Federal High Court and upheld up to the Court of Appeal, describing the suit as improper.
The plaintiff’s counsel, Ndubuisi Ukpai, told the court he had just been served with Jonathan’s processes and requested more time to respond.
Justice Lifu adjourned the matter to May 11 for hearing of the preliminary objection and the substantive suit, and ordered hearing notices to be served on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Attorney-General of the Federation, who were absent in court.
Jideobi is seeking a perpetual injunction restraining Jonathan from contesting or presenting himself as a candidate in the 2027 election, and also asking the court to stop INEC from accepting or publishing his name.
