The legal dispute over former President Goodluck Jonathan’s eligibility to contest the 2027 presidential election has moved to the Court of Appeal in Abuja. The case follows a Federal High Court judgment that ruled he is not constitutionally barred from running.
An Abuja-based lawyer, Jideobi Johnmary, is challenging that decision. He has filed a notice of appeal asking the appellate court to overturn the earlier ruling delivered on May 26.
Johnmary argues that the trial court made procedural errors that affected fairness. He claims the court denied him a fair hearing during the proceedings.
A key issue in the appeal relates to how the judge handled a recusal request. The lawyer had asked the judge on May 11 to withdraw from the case over concerns about impartiality.
However, when the matter came up on May 18, the court heard both the recusal motion and the main suit together. The judge later delivered a combined ruling.
Johnmary insists this approach was wrong. He argues that a recusal application must be decided before any substantive hearing begins. According to him, handling both matters together undermined judicial neutrality.
He also challenged the N20 million cost awarded against him. He described the amount as excessive and unfair. He said court costs should not punish citizens who seek constitutional interpretation.
The appeal asks the Court of Appeal to set aside the judgment. It also requests that the case be reassigned to a different judge for fresh hearing.
The Independent National Electoral Commission and the Attorney-General of the Federation are listed as respondents. A hearing date has not yet been fixed.
