Judge warns lawyers against media interviews on Atiku’s ‘NYSC certificate forgery’ suit against Tinubu

Inyang Ekwo, judge of a federal high court in Abuja, has warned lawyers against discussing a suit seeking to disqualify President Bola Tinubu from the 2027 presidential election over alleged forgery of a National Youth Service Scheme (NYSC) certificate.

Ekwo issued the warning on Tuesday while adjourning further proceedings in the suit filed by former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar and presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

The judge said the case must be handled in court and not through the media, including social media.

“This case is to be conducted in court and not in the media, whether it is regular or social,” Ekwo 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 suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1888/2026, was filed by Atiku and the ADC against Tinubu, the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

At Tuesday’s proceedings, Omosanya Popoola, counsel to Tinubu, announced his appearance for the president.

Joseph Onu, counsel to Atiku, however, told the court that the plaintiffs had been unable to serve Tinubu with the court processes.

Onu said his clients preferred personal service on the president or an order for substituted service, citing the sensitive nature of the case.

“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,” the lawyer said.

“But if we have a written undertaking from the 1st defendant to be served through counsel, we will accept.”

Alex Iziyon, counsel to INEC, prayed the court to reject the insistence on personal service, arguing that the appearance of Tinubu’s counsel was sufficient.

Iziyon also asked the court to expedite the hearing, saying more than 17 days had passed since the suit was filed and that it was ready to file its defence within 10 days.

After hearing the parties, the judge said he could not dictate to the plaintiffs how to conduct their case.

He subsequently adjourned the matter until September 28 for mention.

BACKGROUND

Atiku and the ADC are challenging Tinubu’s eligibility to contest the 2027 presidential election over an NYSC discharge certificate which they allege was forged.

In the suit, Atiku alleged that Tinubu submitted a certificate bearing the name “Tinubu Bola Adekunle” to INEC, thereby presenting false information to the electoral body.

The plaintiffs are relying on section 137(1)(j) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, which deals with disqualification arising from the presentation of a forged certificate to INEC.

They are asking the court to declare that Tinubu presented a forged certificate and disqualify him and the APC from participating in the 2027 presidential election. (TheCable)