Judge gags lawyers in Tinubu suit, says ‘don’t discuss Atiku’s ‘NYSC certificate forgery’ suit against Tinubu in media’ 

Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court in Abuja has warned lawyers involved in the 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 Ekwo gave the warning on Tuesday while adjourning proceedings in the case instituted by former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar and the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

The judge said all arguments concerning the suit, which centres on an alleged forged National Youth Service Scheme (NYSC) certificate, must be presented before the court rather than through public platforms.

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

He cautioned that any attempt by counsel to discuss the case on social media would attract sanctions.

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

[…] Atiku and the ADC are challenging Tinubu’s eligibility to participate in the 2027 presidential election, alleging that the president submitted a forged NYSC discharge certificate to INEC.

The plaintiffs alleged that the document submitted to the electoral commission bears the name “Tinubu Bola Adekunle” and contend that this amounted to the presentation of false information to INEC.

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

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