A Federal High Court in Abuja has imposed a N1 million fine on a plaintiff over repeated delays in a case challenging former President Goodluck Jonathan’s eligibility to contest the 2027 presidential election.
Justice Peter Lifu issued the ruling after expressing strong dissatisfaction with what he described as the plaintiff’s and his counsel’s lack of diligence in prosecuting the matter, which has lingered since it was filed in October 2025.
The judge noted that key defendants, including the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Attorney-General of the Federation, had not been properly served months after the suit was initiated, a development he said had stalled proceedings unnecessarily.
He further observed that despite fixing hearing dates, the plaintiff and his lawyer failed to appear in court on multiple occasions without formal communication to either the court or opposing parties.
Counsel to the former president, however, argued that the suit amounted to an abuse of court process, noting that Jonathan’s legal team had already responded after becoming aware of the case through media reports.
The court also heard that while INEC had received a hearing notice, it had not been served with the originating summons, further complicating the case.
After considering submissions from all parties, Justice Lifu ruled that the conduct of the plaintiff amounted to undue delay and awarded a N1 million cost in favour of the former president.
The matter was subsequently adjourned to May 18 for hearing of pending applications and substantive issues in the suit.
