The legal challenge seeking to bar former President Goodluck Jonathan from contesting the 2027 presidential election has been escalated to the Court of Appeal in Abuja.
An Abuja-based lawyer, Jideobi Johnmary, has filed an appeal seeking to overturn a Federal High Court judgment that previously held that Jonathan is eligible to contest the presidency again. The appellant is asking the appellate court to nullify the earlier ruling delivered on May 26.
In his grounds of appeal, the lawyer argued that the trial judge, Justice Peter Lifu, committed a grave procedural error by hearing a motion for recusal alongside the substantive case, and later issuing a composite judgment covering both issues. He contended that this approach violated the constitutional right to fair hearing as guaranteed under Section 36(1) of the 1999 Constitution.
He further argued that the judge ought to have first determined whether he should continue presiding over the case before hearing the main suit, insisting that combining both matters undermined judicial impartiality and rendered the proceedings invalid.
The appellant also faulted the court for proceeding with the substantive case despite the pending motion challenging the judge’s competence, arguing that doing so amounted to acting without jurisdiction.
Additionally, he challenged the ₦20 million cost imposed on him by the trial court, describing it as excessive and punitive, and not reflective of reasonable legal expenses. He maintained that costs are meant to be compensatory rather than punitive.
Among the reliefs sought at the appellate court is an order returning the case to the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court for reassignment and a fresh hearing before another judge.
The case initially questioned Jonathan’s eligibility to contest the presidency, arguing that he had been sworn in twice and therefore may be barred under constitutional provisions. However, the Federal High Court dismissed the suit, holding that existing judicial decisions had already addressed the issue and that the plaintiff lacked legal standing.
The court also upheld preliminary objections filed by Jonathan and the Attorney-General of the Federation, while awarding costs against the claimant.
Although Jonathan has not formally declared interest in the 2027 presidential race, speculation continues over his possible return, while political actors have already begun positioning ahead of the election cycle.
