The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has adjourned until September 28, 2026, further proceedings in a suit filed by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar challenging President Bola Tinubu’s eligibility to contest the 2027 presidential election.
The suit, filed by Atiku and the African Democratic Congress (ADC), seeks to disqualify Tinubu from the 2027 presidential election over allegations that he submitted a forged National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) discharge certificate to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Tinubu, the All Progressives Congress (APC) and INEC are listed as the first, second and third defendants respectively.
In the suit, Atiku alleged that the NYSC certificate submitted by Tinubu bears the name “Tinubu Bola Adekunle” and described the document as forged.
He is asking the court to determine whether Tinubu should be disqualified from contesting the 2027 presidential election over the alleged submission of the certificate.
At Tuesday’s proceedings, Tinubu’s legal team, led by Omosanya Popoola, announced its appearance for the President.
However, Atiku’s lawyer, Joseph Onu, told the court that his client had not been able to personally serve Tinubu with the court processes.
Onu insisted that, given the sensitive nature of the case, Tinubu should either be personally served or provide a written undertaking authoring his lawyers to accept service on his behalf.
INEC’s counsel, Alex Iziyon, SAN, argued that the appearance of Tinubu’s counsel was sufficient and urged the court to allow the matter to proceed without further delay.
INEC also said it was ready to file its defence within 10 days.
After hearing the parties, Justice Inyang Ekwo adjourned the case to September 28 for further proceedings.
The judge also warned the parties and their lawyers against discussing the details of the case on social media or in the media, saying the matter must be determined in court.
Justice Ekwo warned that any lawyer whose client discusses the case on social media would be held responsible and could face “drastic action.”
