Proceedings in the suit challenging President Bola Tinubu over an alleged National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) certificate forgery took a procedural turn on Tuesday after a Federal High Court judge in Abuja warned lawyers against discussing the case in the media.
Justice Inyang Ekwo said the matter must be handled in court rather than through traditional or social media, warning that he would take “very drastic action” if counsel discussed the proceedings publicly.
Key Facts
The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1888/2026, was filed by the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and its presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, against Tinubu, the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The plaintiffs are challenging Tinubu in connection with an alleged forgery of an NYSC certificate, with the case having implications for the 2027 presidential election.
During Tuesday’s proceedings, the court also heard that Tinubu had not yet been served with the relevant court processes, prompting discussion over how service should be effected.
How Tuesday’s Proceedings Unfolded
Justice Ekwo issued the warning while adjourning further proceedings in the case.
The judge made it clear that lawyers involved in the matter were expected to conduct the case within the courtroom rather than use the media or social media to discuss its details.
He said:
“This case is to be conducted in court and not in the media, whether it is regular or social.”
Ekwo then warned that counsel could be held responsible if the case was discussed on social media.
“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 places the focus on keeping arguments and developments concerning the pending case within the formal judicial process.
What Happened With The Lawyers?
At Tuesday’s proceedings, Omosanya Popoola announced his appearance as counsel representing Tinubu.
Joseph Onu, who appeared for Atiku and the other plaintiffs, however, told the court that the plaintiffs had been unable to serve Tinubu with the court processes.
Onu said his clients preferred that the president be personally served or that the court issue an order permitting substituted service.
He explained that the plaintiffs wanted to avoid a procedural problem that could later affect 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.”
Onu added that his clients would accept service through Tinubu’s counsel if there was a written undertaking to that effect.
The Positions Before The Court
The immediate issue raised during the proceedings was therefore procedural rather than a determination of the substantive allegations contained in the suit.
Justice Ekwo: The judge directed lawyers to keep discussions concerning the case within the court process and warned against discussing the matter in the media.
Atiku’s legal team: Joseph Onu told the court that Tinubu had not been served with the processes and requested personal service or substituted service.
Tinubu’s legal team: Omosanya Popoola announced his appearance for the president, but the supplied account does not contain a substantive response from him to Onu’s position on service.
Current Situation
The case remains pending before the Federal High Court in Abuja.
Based on the proceedings described, the court had not made a final determination on the allegation concerning Tinubu’s NYSC certificate.
The service of the court processes was also still an issue raised before the court, while further proceedings were adjourned.
What Is Established And What Is Alleged?
The court proceeding and Justice Ekwo’s warning are matters directly reported from Tuesday’s proceedings.
However, the allegation that Tinubu forged an NYSC certificate remains an allegation contained in the suit, not an established finding based on the material provided.
The article therefore does not establish that Tinubu forged the certificate.
Likewise, the plaintiffs’ position that Tinubu had not been served with the court processes is presented as the submission made by their counsel to the court.
The eventual determination of the allegations and the legal consequences, if any, remain matters for the judicial process.
Legal Context
The case combines a political dispute with ongoing court proceedings because the plaintiffs are challenging Tinubu in connection with the 2027 presidential election.
At this stage, however, the proceedings described in the supplied material concern procedural matters, including representation and service of court processes.
The judge’s warning also underscores that the substantive arguments in the case are expected to be presented through the court rather than through public commentary.
No conclusion about the merits of the certificate allegation should therefore be drawn from the warning or from the service dispute alone.
Political Implications
The case has potential political significance because it involves a sitting president and concerns the period leading up to the 2027 presidential election.
For the ADC and Atiku, the suit represents a legal challenge against Tinubu that could become part of the broader political contest surrounding the next presidential election.
For Tinubu and the APC, the proceedings create another legal and political issue that could attract public attention as the 2027 contest approaches.
However, Tuesday’s proceedings did not determine the substantive allegation against the president. The political consequences of the case will therefore depend on how the litigation develops and what the court ultimately decides.
What Happens Next?
The immediate focus will be on the continuation of the court proceedings and the unresolved issue concerning service of the processes on Tinubu.
The plaintiffs have indicated their preference for personal service or substituted service, while the court is yet to reach a final determination on the substantive claims contained in the suit.
Justice Ekwo’s warning also means that lawyers involved in the matter have been put on notice that public discussion of the case could attract consequences from the court.
As proceedings continue, the court will determine the issues placed before it based on the evidence and legal arguments presented by the parties.
Editorial Wrap-Up
The Federal High Court proceedings have added a new procedural development to the legal challenge involving Tinubu and the 2027 presidential election.
Justice Ekwo’s warning was directed at how the case should be conducted, while the dispute over service showed that the litigation is still at a procedural stage.
The allegation concerning an NYSC certificate remains before the court and should not be treated as proven merely because it forms part of the plaintiffs’ case.
For now, the next developments will depend on the court proceedings and the steps taken by the parties as the case moves forward.
