Judge slams case as abuse of court process, fines lawyer ₦21 million as fresh debate over Jonathan’s political future intensifies…..
A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has dismissed a lawsuit seeking to prevent former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan from participating in the 2027 presidential election, dealing a major blow to attempts to block any possible return to active politics by the former leader.
Justice Peter Lifu, who delivered the judgment on Tuesday, ruled that the suit filed by lawyer Johnmary Jideobi lacked merit and amounted to an abuse of court process. The judge also imposed heavy financial penalties on the plaintiff, ordering him to pay ₦20 million in damages to Jonathan and an additional ₦1 million to the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF).
In his ruling, Justice Lifu held that the plaintiff failed to establish the legal standing required to institute the case, noting that he did not demonstrate any personal injury or direct harm arising from Jonathan’s perceived interest in the 2027 race.
The judge further pointed out that courts had already addressed the issue of Jonathan’s eligibility in previous decisions. According to him, both the Federal High Court in Yenagoa and the Court of Appeal had earlier ruled that the former president remains constitutionally qualified to contest future elections if he chooses to do so.
Justice Lifu stated that those judgments remain binding, making the latest suit unnecessary and legally unsustainable.
The court also dismissed a separate application filed by Jideobi seeking the withdrawal of the judge from the case, describing the request as frivolous.
The lawyer had dragged Jonathan, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and the Attorney-General of the Federation before the court as first to third defendants respectively.
The ruling is expected to reignite conversations around Jonathan’s political future ahead of the 2027 elections, especially amid growing calls from groups and supporters urging him to return to the ballot.
Jonathan, who became president in 2010 following the death of President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, later won the 2011 presidential election under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). His administration came to an end in 2015 after losing reelection to Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC), marking the first time an incumbent Nigerian president was defeated at the polls.
Although the former president has largely stayed away from frontline partisan politics since leaving office, pressure has continued to mount from political groups and youth organisations calling on him to contest again.
Speaking recently during a visit by members of the Coalition for Goodluck Jonathan in Abuja, the former president acknowledged the growing calls but stopped short of making a formal declaration.
“Yes, you are asking me to come and contest the next elections,” Jonathan told the delegation.
“The presidential race is not a computer game, but I’ve heard you, and I’ll consult widely.”
