Former President Goodluck Jonathan has asked the Federal High Court in Abuja to dismiss a suit attempting to stop him from contesting the 2027 presidential election.
His lawyer, Chris Uche, told the court on Friday that Jonathan had already filed legal processes challenging the case before Justice Peter Lifu.
Uche said the defence filed "a conditional appearance, preliminary objection, counter-affidavit and written address" on 5 May after learning of the suit through media reports.
He argued that the question of Jonathan’s eligibility had already been settled by higher courts.
"The issue has been settled by the courts, including the Court of Appeal," Uche said.
Counsel for the plaintiff, Ndubuisi Ukpai, said he had only just received Jonathan’s documents and needed time to respond.
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"I only received the processes and need time to study them and file a reply," he told the court.
After hearing submissions from both sides, Justice Lifu adjourned the case until 11 May for arguments on the preliminary objection and the main suit.
The judge also ordered that hearing notices be served on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation, both listed as defendants.
The plaintiff, Johnmary Jideobi, is seeking an order to restrain Jonathan from running in 2027.
In court filings, he argued that "if the court does not intervene timeously, a political party may present the 1st defendant as its presidential candidate in the 2027 general election, thereby breaching the Constitution."
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