The Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned the suit filed by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar challenging the eligibility of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to contest the 2027 presidential election until September 28.
The adjournment followed disclosures in court that originating processes in the suit have not been served personally on President Tinubu.
During proceedings on Tuesday, counsel to the plaintiff, Joseph Silas Onu, informed the court that the legal team had faced challenges effecting personal service and would require an order for substituted service to deliver the documents to the President.
The matter took a dramatic turn when Senior Advocate of Nigeria Omosanya Popoola, leading the defence team for President Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress, offered to accept service on behalf of his client in open court.
Popoola urged the presiding judge to direct the plaintiff’s counsel to hand over the court processes immediately for onward transmission to the President.
Onu objected to the oral application, insisting that the defence counsel provide a written undertaking confirming a direct mandate to accept service on the President’s behalf.
Despite Popoola’s assurances regarding his authority of representation, the plaintiff’s lawyer maintained that the sensitive nature of the litigation demanded strict adherence to formal procedure, either through personal delivery or an explicit court order for substituted service.
Delivering a bench ruling, Justice Inyang Ekwo declined to compel the plaintiff’s legal team to alter their approach, holding that the court cannot dictate how litigants conduct their cases.
Justice Ekwo subsequently adjourned the suit for mention to allow proper service to be effected.
The judge warned all parties and their legal representatives against discussing the merits or specifics of the ongoing litigation in the media, cautioning that any breach would attract severe judicial sanctions.