By Ayomide Otitoju
Goodluck Jonathan has challenged a suit seeking to restrain him from contesting the 2027 presidential election.
Jonathan, through his lawyer, Chris Uche, informed the Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday that he had filed a preliminary objection urging the court to dismiss the suit.
The matter came up before Peter Lifu, where Uche said the former president became aware of the case through media reports, prompting the urgent filing of legal processes due to the significance of the issue concerning Jonathan’s eligibility for the 2027 election.
According to the senior lawyer, the defence filed a conditional appearance, notice of preliminary objection, counter-affidavit, and written address on May 5.
Uche argued that the matter had already been determined by both the Federal High Court and the Court of Appeal, describing it as unfortunate that the suit was instituted despite existing judicial pronouncements on the issue.
Counsel to the plaintiff, Ndubuisi Ukpai, told the court that the case was scheduled for mention but noted that he had just been served with Jonathan’s court processes.
Justice Lifu subsequently adjourned the matter until May 11 for hearing of the preliminary objection and the substantive suit.
The judge also directed that hearing notices be issued and served on the Independent National Electoral Commission and the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation, listed as the second and third defendants in the suit.
The suit was filed by lawyer Johnmary Jideobi, who is seeking an order of perpetual injunction barring Jonathan from presenting himself to any political party as a candidate for the 2027 presidential election.
Jideobi also asked the court to restrain INEC from accepting or publishing Jonathan’s name as a duly nominated candidate for the poll, citing constitutional grounds.
