A Federal High Court in Abuja has warned lawyers involved in a suit seeking the disqualification of President Bola Tinubu from the 2027 presidential election against discussing the matter in the media or on social media.

Justice Inyang Ekwo issued the warning on Tuesday while adjourning proceedings in the suit instituted by former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar and the African Democratic Congress (ADC) over an alleged forged National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) certificate.

The judge stressed that the case must be argued before the court rather than through public commentary, warning that any lawyer who violates the directive could face severe sanctions.

“This case is to be conducted in court and not in the media, whether it is regular or social,” Ekwo said.

“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 against Tinubu, the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

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

However, Joseph Onu, representing Atiku and the ADC, informed the court that the plaintiffs had yet to serve Tinubu with the originating processes.

Onu said the plaintiffs wanted the processes personally served on the President or, alternatively, sought an order permitting substituted service because of 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,” Onu told the court.

He added that the plaintiffs would accept service through Tinubu’s counsel if the lawyer provided a written undertaking to that effect.

Counsel to INEC, Alex Iziyon, opposed the insistence on personal service, arguing that Tinubu’s legal representation in court was sufficient to establish that he had notice of the proceedings.

Iziyon also urged the court to accelerate the hearing, noting that more than 17 days had elapsed since the suit was instituted and that INEC was prepared to file its defence within 10 days.

In his ruling, Justice Ekwo said he could not dictate to the plaintiffs how they should conduct their case, but proceeded to adjourn the matter to September 28 for mention.

The substantive dispute centres on Tinubu’s eligibility to contest the 2027 presidential election.

Atiku and the ADC allege that Tinubu presented a forged NYSC discharge certificate to INEC and that the document bore the name “Tinubu Bola Adekunle.”

The plaintiffs contend that the alleged submission amounts to the presentation of false information to the electoral body.

They are relying on Section 137(1)(j) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, which provides grounds for disqualification where a person presents a forged certificate to INEC.

Atiku and the ADC are asking the court to declare that Tinubu presented a forged certificate and consequently disqualify him and the APC from participating in the 2027 presidential election.