By Amarachi Jim-Nwoko
ABUJA (PRECISE POST) – Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja has slammed a ₦21 million penalty on lawyer Johnmary Jideobi and dismissed his suit attempting to bar former President Goodluck Jonathan from the 2027 presidential race.
The judge ruled that Jideobi had no legal standing to bring the case, since he hadn’t suffered any personal loss from Jonathan’s stated intention to run. He also called the suit “an abuse of court process” and rejected Jideobi’s separate motion for the judge to recuse himself as frivolous.
Of the fine, ₦20 million was awarded to Jonathan and ₦1 million to the Attorney-General of the Federation, who were named as 1st and 3rd defendants alongside INEC.
Justice Lifu noted he was bound by earlier rulings from a Federal High Court in Yenagoa and the Court of Appeal, both of which had already affirmed Jonathan’s eligibility to contest.
