Don’t discuss Atiku’s NYSC certificate case against Tinubu in public – Judge warns lawyers

The Federal High Court in Abuja has warned lawyers involved in a suit seeking to prevent President Bola Ahmed Tinubu from contesting the 2027 presidential election against discussing the proceedings on social media or other media platforms.

Justice Inyang Ekwo issued the warning on Tuesday while hearing preliminary issues in the suit filed by former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar and the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

The judge cautioned counsel against taking arguments from the courtroom to the public space, warning that lawyers who discussed the case on social media could face serious consequences.

“This case is to be conducted in court and not in the media, whether it is regular or social,” Ekwo said.

He further warned, “If this case is discussed on social media, I will hold counsel for the party responsible, and I will take very drastic action.”

The warning came as the court considered preliminary issues in the case, which seeks Tinubu’s disqualification from the 2027 presidential election over allegations concerning an NYSC discharge certificate.

However, the court did not proceed to the substantive allegations, as the parties remained divided over whether the President had been properly served with the originating processes.

Counsel to Atiku and the ADC, Joseph Onu, told the court that the plaintiffs had been unable to personally serve Tinubu with the processes.

Onu said his clients considered personal service important given the nature of the case but indicated that they were willing to accept service through the President’s counsel if a written undertaking was provided.

“My lord, this is a very important case, and we do not want to leave any chance for a technicality. We do not want to fall into any trap,” he said.

He added that the plaintiffs would accept service through Tinubu’s lawyer if there was “a written undertaking from the 1st defendant to be served through counsel.”

Tinubu’s counsel, Omosanya Popoola, was present in court and announced his appearance for the President.

Counsel to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Alex Iziyon, however, argued that there was no need for the plaintiffs to insist on personal service after Tinubu’s lawyer had appeared before the court.

Iziyon urged the court to allow the case to proceed, noting that more than 17 days had elapsed since the suit was filed.

He said INEC was ready to respond to the action and could file its defence within 10 days.

Justice Ekwo, however, said he could not dictate to the plaintiffs how they should conduct their case.

The judge subsequently adjourned the matter until September 28 for further mention.

The suit, registered as FHC/ABJ/CS/1888/2026, lists Tinubu, the All Progressives Congress (APC) and INEC as defendants.

Atiku and the ADC are challenging Tinubu’s eligibility based on an alleged discrepancy in the name appearing on an NYSC certificate attributed to the President.

The plaintiffs contend that the certificate submitted to INEC bears the name “Tinubu Bola Adekunle”, which they say differs from “Bola Ahmed Tinubu”, the name by which the President is officially and publicly identified.

They are relying on Section 137(1)(j) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, which provides for disqualification where a candidate presents a forged certificate to INEC.

Among the reliefs being sought is a declaration concerning the alleged certificate and an order disqualifying Tinubu from participating in the 2027 presidential election. The APC is also named in the reliefs sought by the plaintiffs.

The allegations remain subject to judicial determination. The latest proceedings did not establish that the certificate was forged or that Tinubu is constitutionally disqualified from contesting the 2027 election.

The case comes amid intensified political activities ahead of the 2027 general election, with Tinubu seeking re-election on the APC platform and Atiku pursuing his presidential ambition under the ADC.

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