The Federal High Court in Abuja, on Friday, rebuked Johnmary Jideobi, the plaintiff, and his lawyer, Ndubuisi Ukpai, over lack of diligence to pursue the suit filed to stop former President Goodluck Jonathan from contesting the 2027 presidential election.

Justice Peter Lifu, who described the plaintiff and his lawyer’s attitudes, which had continued to stall proceedings in the case, as “unacceptable,” awarded a N1 million fine against the plaintiff in favour of the ex-president.

“I have carefully and painstakingly considered all the submissions and prayers of the learned counsel in this matter. As this court had earlier ruled and ordered that this case has a character of politics.

“I have taken judicial notice of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)’s timetable.

“The duty of this court is to ensure that political cases are given accelerated hearing and disposed of expeditiously.

In that wise, and as earlier stated, this court reiterates the provisions of the National Judicial Policy in case management.

“I hereby orders as follows: The plaintiff, who filed this suit in October 6, 2025, and has not deemed it fit to serve, is hereby granted grace of two hours from now, that is 10:30 am, to serve all the processes to the 2nd and 3rd defendants (INEC and AGF) unfailingly.

“The 2nd and 3rd defendants are hereby ordered to file and serve their responses, if any, before 11 am on Monday, May 18, 2026.

“By consent of counsel, this suit is adjourned to May 18, 2026, by 12 noon for definite hearing of the originating summons and all pending applications,” Justice Lifu said.

The judge expressed surprise that Jideobi  had yet to serve INEC and the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), the 2nd and 3rd defendants, six months after filing the suit.

Besides, he observed that counsel for the ex-president (1st defendant), Chief Chris Uche (SAN), told the court on May 8 when the case came up that they got the information about the suit in the media and decided to file and serve their processes.

The judge equally observed that on May 11, neither Jideobi, who is also a lawyer, nor Ukpai was in court despite fixing the hearing time at 2pm at the instance of the plaintiff’s lawyer on May 5.

He further noted that though Uche asked for a N5 million cost, the request was not granted in the interest of fair hearing.

Earlier when the case was called on Friday, neither Jideobi nor Ukpai was in court. However, lawyer to the former president, Uche, and AGF’s counsel, J. D. Esho, were in court.

Esho, who told the court that her office was served with the ex-president’s response to the suit on May 11, said they were yet to be served with the originating summons of the plaintiff.

he registrar also confirmed that though INEC was served with hearing notice of today’s sitting, the commission had not also been served with the plaintiff’s processes.

Midway into the case, Ukpai entered the court and apologised for his lateness. “My lord, I am sorry. I am for the plaintiff. Our vehicle broke down on the way,” he begged.

After taking submissions of all the lawyers, the judge adjourned the matter until May 18 for definite hearing of all pending applications and the substantive suit at 12noon.