Court Orders Service of Lawsuit Against President Bola Tinubu

The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered that Atiku Abubakar and the African Democratic Congress (ADC) may serve court processes on President Bola Tinubu via substituted service through the All Progressives Congress (APC). Justice Inyang Ekwo granted the request after the plaintiffs failed to effect personal service on the president.

Atiku, running as a candidate for the ADC, alleges that President Tinubu submitted a forged National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) discharge certificate to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The plaintiffs claim the document bears the name "Tinubu Bola Adekunle" and seek a court declaration of forgery to disqualify both the president and the APC from the January 16, 2027, presidential election.

President Tinubu, the APC, and INEC have filed preliminary objections and counter-affidavits seeking the dismissal of the suit. Defense counsel argue the case is statute-barred, that the plaintiffs lack locus standi, and that no evidence from the NYSC has been provided to prove the certificate is a forgery. The defendants further assert that the NYSC has never disclaimed the issuance of the certificate.

The court has ordered that service be completed within seven days and adjourned the matter until September 28, 2026, for mention.