The Federal High Court in Abuja has granted Atiku Abubakar permission to serve President Bola Tinubu with court processes through the All Progressives Congress.
Justice Inyang Ekwo granted the application on Wednesday while ruling on an ex parte motion filed by Atiku’s counsel, O.T. Omotayo-Ojo, who said attempts to personally serve Tinubu had been unsuccessful.
Atiku and the African Democratic Congress are challenging Tinubu and the APC’s participation in the 2027 presidential election, alleging that a forged National Youth Service Corps discharge certificate was submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission.
The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1888/2026, names Tinubu, the APC and INEC as defendants. The plaintiffs are asking the court to compel INEC to remove Tinubu’s name and that of the APC from the list of candidates and political parties for the election.
Justice Ekwo ordered that the originating summons and other processes be served through the APC within seven days, following an undertaking by Omotayo-Ojo on behalf of the plaintiffs. The judge adjourned the case until September 28 for mention.
Tinubu and the APC have opposed the suit, asking the court to dismiss it and denying that any forged certificate or Form CF001 was submitted to INEC for the 2023 or 2027 elections. They also said the NYSC had never denied issuing Tinubu a discharge certificate.
Counsel to Tinubu and the APC, Akin Olujinmi, SAN, argued that the forgery allegation was criminal and required proof beyond reasonable doubt. INEC also filed a preliminary objection, challenging the suit on grounds including statute-bar, lack of locus standi, absence of a reasonable cause of action, abuse of court process and failure to comply with written deposition requirements.
