A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Tuesday cleared former President Goodluck Jonathan to contest the 2027 presidential election.
In a judgment delivered on May 26, 2026, Justice Peter Lifu dismissed a suit seeking to disqualify Jonathan from the race, describing the case as frivolous and an abuse of court process.
The judge also upheld a ₦20 million fine earlier imposed on the plaintiff’s lawyer, Johnmary Jideobi, and awarded an additional ₦1 million fine against the plaintiff in favour of the Attorney-General of the Federation.
Justice Lifu ruled that the lawyer lacked the legal standing to institute the suit, noting that he failed to show how he suffered any harm from Jonathan’s perceived intention to contest the election.
The court further held that both a Federal High Court in Yenagoa and the Court of Appeal had previously affirmed Jonathan’s eligibility to seek the presidency again.
According to the judge, he was bound by the decision of the appellate court on the matter.
The suit was subsequently dismissed in its entirety.
More details later.