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“Drama In Court!” – Lawyer Penalized With ₦1 Million Fine In Jonathan Suit”.
The Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday criticised lawyer Johnmary Jideobi and his counsel, Ndubuisi Ukpai, over what it described as a lack of diligence in pursuing a suit aimed at preventing former President Goodluck Jonathan from contesting the 2027 presidential election.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
Justice Peter Lifu, who condemned the conduct of the plaintiff and his legal team as “unacceptable,” ordered a ₦1 million cost against Jideobi in favour of the former president.
In his ruling, Justice Lifu noted that the suit, filed on October 6, 2025, was not properly served on key respondents, including the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Attorney-General of the Federation, listed as the second and third defendants.
He stated that the case was already being treated as a politically sensitive matter and referenced INEC’s election timetable, stressing the need for accelerated hearing in such cases.
The judge ordered the plaintiff to ensure that all necessary court processes were served on INEC and the Attorney-General of the Federation within two hours.
He expressed concern that neither the plaintiff nor his counsel had been present on previous adjourned dates, despite the hearing being fixed at the instance of the plaintiff’s lawyer.
According to him, “No doubt, cause follows event,” adding that the delay was caused by the plaintiff’s lack of diligence.
Justice Lifu held that since the plaintiff was at fault, consequences must follow, and consequently imposed a ₦1 million cost against him in favour of Jonathan.
Earlier in the proceedings, counsel to the former president, Chief Chris Uche (SAN), urged the court to dismiss the suit, citing repeated absence by the plaintiff and accusing him of disrespecting the court process.
He argued that the plaintiff was attempting to misuse the judicial process and undermine the dignity of the court.
Midway through the hearing, counsel to the plaintiff, Ndubuisi Ukpai, arrived and apologised for his lateness, explaining that his vehicle broke down on the way.
After hearing all submissions, Justice Lifu adjourned the matter to May 18 for the hearing of pending applications and the substantive suit.
Nigeria has moved to reciprocate Rwanda’s 30-day visa-free entry policy, a step aimed at improving travel relations and strengthening bilateral ties between both countries.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
The Nigeria Immigration Service announced the development on Friday, stating that all necessary arrangements have been concluded to implement the directive issued by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The policy shift comes amid renewed diplomatic engagement between Nigeria and Rwanda, with both countries seeking deeper cooperation in trade, tourism, security, and regional integration.
President Tinubu recently visited Kigali for the Africa CEO Forum, where he held talks with Rwandan President Paul Kagame at the Urugwiro Presidential Villa.
During the meeting, both leaders explored areas of mutual interest, including economic cooperation and continental development initiatives.
Tinubu had also indicated Nigeria’s readiness to reciprocate Rwanda’s existing 30-day visa-free access for Nigerians, describing the move as part of efforts to advance Pan-African unity and strengthen intra-African relations.
The new visa arrangement is expected to simplify travel between both countries while boosting business opportunities, tourism, and diplomatic exchanges across the region.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Friday returned to Lagos after completing a diplomatic tour of France, Kenya, and Rwanda.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
His aircraft landed at about 7:12pm at the Presidential Wing of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, where he was received by top government officials, including Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Deputy Governor Femi Hamzat, Chief of Staff to the President Femi Gbajabiamila, Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly Mudashiru Obasa, and others.
During his stay in France, Tinubu held meetings with international investors, where he highlighted transparency, fiscal discipline, and ongoing economic reforms introduced by his administration.
A statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, noted that the President also explained the direction and rationale behind Nigeria’s current economic policies.
In Nairobi, Tinubu participated in the Africa Forward Summit, co-hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron and Kenyan President William Ruto, where he called for reforms in the global financial system and stronger economic integration across Africa.
He also spotlighted Nigeria’s blue economy potential and pledged to collaborate with Gulf of Guinea nations on maritime intelligence sharing.
While in Kenya, he met with Madagascar’s President, Michael Randrianirina, alongside other diplomatic engagements.
In Kigali, Rwanda, Tinubu attended the Africa CEO Forum, where he joined discussions on boosting Africa’s economic transformation through regional cooperation, investment, and cross-border partnerships.
He also held bilateral talks with Rwandan President Paul Kagame and met with representatives from global organizations including the International Finance Corporation, APM Terminals, and Winme Group.
According to the Presidency, the series of engagements recorded “notable favourable outcomes.”
Tinubu is expected to take part in the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary elections in Lagos, which begin on Saturday.
Ahead of the primaries, he urged party members and aspirants to maintain peace, show sportsmanship, and prioritize the unity of the party and national interest.
The National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Felix Morka, has said Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, serves as the political leader of the party in the state.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
However, Morka clarified that the authority to conduct party elections and primaries remains exclusively with the National Working Committee (NWC) of the APC, not state governors.
He made the remarks on Friday during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today, noting that the current political atmosphere has generated a wave of speculation and misinformation.
According to him, “This is a political season, and it’s a season of a lot of talk, sometimes unfounded, speculative, and sometimes outright false. You can’t stop it. My advice is to slow down and let the process work so that, at the end of the day, we can have an outcome that is credible and acceptable to everybody.”
Morka reiterated that governors are recognised as party leaders within their respective states, including Rivers State.
He said, “The leader of the party is the governor of Rivers State. The governor is the leader of our party in all the states, not just in Rivers State.”
He further explained that while governors hold political leadership roles at the state level, they do not have the constitutional authority to conduct APC primaries.
He said, “However, when it comes to elections, there is only one authority that has the power to manage elections, and that is the National Working Committee of the party. It has the authority to conduct the primaries and not the governors.”
Morka emphasized that the APC operates through established constitutional structures, with the NWC serving as the key body overseeing internal elections.
He added that no governor controls the party’s primary process, stressing that all committees handling preparations in states like Rivers report directly to the national headquarters.
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