A Federal High Court in Abuja has granted former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar and the African Democratic Congress (ADC) permission to serve President Bola Ahmed Tinubu with court documents through the All Progressives Congress (APC) in a suit challenging his eligibility to contest the 2027 presidential election.
Gatekeepers News reports that Justice Inyang Ekwo granted the application for substituted service on Wednesday following an ex-parte application filed by Atiku’s counsel, Olanrewaju Omotayo-Ojo.
The court directed that the originating processes be served on Tinubu through the APC within seven days. The case was adjourned until September 28 for mention.
Atiku and the ADC instituted the suit over an NYSC discharge certificate allegedly submitted by Tinubu to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). They alleged that the certificate was forged and bore the name “Tinubu Bola Adekunle” instead of “Bola Ahmed Tinubu”.
The plaintiffs are relying on Section 137(1)(j) of the 1999 Constitution, which provides for disqualification where a person presents a forged certificate to INEC.
Tinubu and the APC have opposed the suit, asking the court to dismiss it on several grounds, including alleged lack of jurisdiction and competence. INEC has also challenged the suit.
The court’s latest order concerns only how Tinubu is to be served with the court processes; the substantive allegations in the case remain before the court.
