RismadarVoice Reporters, May 26, 2026
A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has cleared former President, Goodluck Jonathan to participate in the 2027 presidential election.
In a judgment delivered on Tuesday, Justice Peter Lifu dismissed a suit seeking to stop Jonathan from contesting the election and upheld a N20 million fine earlier imposed on the lawyer who instituted the case, Johnmary Jideobi.
The court also awarded an additional N1 million cost against the plaintiff in favour of the Attorney-General of the Federation.
Justice Lifu held that the plaintiff lacked the legal standing to institute the suit because he failed to demonstrate how he suffered any injury or loss arising from Jonathan’s perceived intention to contest the election.
The judge further noted that both the Federal High Court in Yenagoa and the Court of Appeal had previously ruled that the former president remained eligible to seek election.
According to the court, the decisions of the appellate court were binding.
Justice Lifu consequently described the suit as “an abuse of court process” and dismissed it for being frivolous.
The judgment has effectively removed legal obstacles surrounding Jonathan’s eligibility to contest the presidency again ahead of the 2027 general election.
