Court Adjourns Jonathan Eligibility Suit Till May 15

Court Adjourns Jonathan Eligibility Suit Till May 15
Judge warned punitive costs may follow another absence in court.
INEC and AGF were reportedly not served court documents properly.

The Federal High Court Abuja has adjourned proceedings in the suit challenging the eligibility of former President Goodluck Jonathan to contest the 2027 presidential election.

Justice Peter Lifu fixed May 15, 2026, for the next hearing after the plaintiff and his counsel failed to appear in court during Monday’s proceedings.

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EKO HOT BLOG reports that the judge warned that punitive costs could be imposed on the plaintiff if there is another failure to appear before the court.

During the hearing, counsel to Jonathan, Chris Uche (SAN), informed the court that the matter had previously been adjourned at the request of the plaintiff, but neither the plaintiff nor his legal representative was present when the case was called.

Justice Lifu subsequently asked the court registrar whether any official communication had been received explaining the absence of the plaintiff or his counsel.

The registrar informed the court that no letter or formal explanation had been submitted.

Issues concerning the service of hearing notices also emerged during proceedings.

It was disclosed that the Independent National Electoral Commission and the Attorney-General of the Federation had not been served with the relevant court documents despite an earlier directive issued by the court on May 8.

Jonathan’s counsel maintained his request for the suit to be struck out, arguing that the plaintiff failed to diligently prosecute the matter.

According to Uche, even where parties had exchanged legal processes and joined issues, the court still possessed the authority to dismiss or strike out a case where the plaintiff showed lack of seriousness.

He further argued that the plaintiff had a responsibility to ensure proper service of hearing notices and court processes on all parties, particularly in a case involving the constitutional eligibility of a former president to seek office again.

Uche also noted that court records showed both INEC and the AGF had neither been properly served nor filed any response in the matter.

The senior lawyer urged the court to impose punitive costs on the plaintiff over the unexplained absence.

Justice Lifu, however, decided to give the plaintiff another opportunity to appear before the court and ordered that all parties must be properly served before the next hearing date.

The judge added that the issue of punitive costs would be revisited if the plaintiff failed to take the necessary legal steps before the adjourned date.