Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja has issued a stern rebuke to Johnmary Jideobi and his lawyer, Ndubuisi Ukpai, for their lack of diligence in a lawsuit intended to prevent former President Goodluck Jonathan from running in the 2027 presidential election.
The judge, who characterized their behavior as “unacceptable,” criticized the duo for stalling the case and subsequently slammed the plaintiff with a N1 million fine in favor of the former president.
Justice Lifu expressed shock that although the suit was filed in October 2025, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) had still not been served six months later.
During the proceedings, Chris Uche (SAN), counsel for Goodluck Jonathan, noted that they only learned of the case through the media.
He lamented the plaintiff’s conduct, stating:“The plaintiff thinks he can hold the court and other parties to ransom and stay back in the comfort of his house and drag all of us to court.”
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Uche further argued that there must be repercussions for such actions to maintain judicial authority:“They think the courts are toothless bulldogs; the dignity of the court must be protected, my lord.”
The senior lawyer expressed disbelief that the plaintiff would initiate a suit against a former commander-in-chief only to abandon the case, adding that Jideobi and Ukpai had displayed “absolute disdain and disrespect to the court.”
The court registrar confirmed that while hearing notices were issued, the plaintiff had failed to serve the necessary legal documents to the other defendants.
Although Uche requested N5 million in costs, the judge settled on N1 million, remarking that “no doubt, cause follows event.”
Midway through the session, Ukpai arrived and offered an apology for his lateness, pleading:“My lord, I am sorry. I am for the plaintiff. Our vehicle broke down on the way.”
Despite the delays and the fine, Justice Lifu adjourned the matter until May 18 for a definite hearing of all pending applications and the substantive suit.
