A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has cleared former President Goodluck Jonathan to participate in the 2027 presidential race.

Justice Peter Lifu, in a judgment delivered by yesterday, upheld a N20 million fine against the lawyer, Johnmary Jideobi, who instituted the case.

He equally awarded a one-million fine against the plaintiff and in favour of the Attorney-General of the Federation.

Justice Lifu also held that the lawyer lacked the legal right to have instituted the suit, having not suffered any loss from his perceived Jonathan’s intention to vie for the next year’s poll.

The judge, who said that a Federal High Court in Yenagoa and an Appeal Court had already held that Jonathan was eligible to run, said he was bound by the appellate court’s decision.

He then described the lawyer’s suit as “an abuse of court process” while dismissing it for being frivolous.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has defended his administration’s economic reforms, saying the difficult policies introduced over the past three years are beginning to produce positive results for Nigerians.

In his Eid-el-Kabir message released yesterday ahead of the Sallah celebration, Tinubu said the country’s economy is becoming more stable despite the hardship caused by recent reforms.

According to Tinubu, the sacrifices made by Nigerians and his administration were necessary to secure a stronger future for the country.

“The reforms we have undertaken are challenging but necessary to build a stronger and more prosperous Nigeria for future generations,” the president said.

“Just as sacrifice brings reward, I am happy that the sacrifices and efforts we have made over the past three years have yielded a more stable economy, making our country a preferred investment destination that will drive job creation and economic growth. The walk through the dark tunnel is over, and the light is here.”

Since assuming office, Tinubu’s administration has implemented major economic reforms, including the removal of petrol subsidy and the floating of the naira to unify the foreign exchange market.

While the policies have been praised by some economists and international financial institutions, they also triggered a sharp rise in the cost of living, with food prices, transportation costs, and inflation increasing across the country.

The government, however, maintained that the reforms have helped to stabilise the naira and free up funds for sectors such as healthcare, education, and infrastructure.

In his Sallah message, Tinubu also addressed the security challenges facing parts of the country, including terrorism, banditry, and kidnappings.

He acknowledged that despite ongoing military operations and security efforts, attacks on communities still persist.

“I am aware that, despite the best efforts of our security and intelligence agencies—including the recent elimination of a wanted ISIS leader—heartless terrorists and bandits still attack some communities,” he said.

“I assure you: you are neither abandoned nor forgotten. We will ultimately defeat all the forces of evil.”

The president urged Nigerians to embrace the values of sacrifice, compassion, unity, and peace associated with Eid-el-Kabir, which commemorates Prophet Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his son in obedience to Allah.

Tinubu also called on Muslims to pray for the nation and support the less privileged during the festive period.

“My administration remains committed to building a Nigeria where all citizens can live in peace, worship freely, and pursue their dreams without fear,” he added.

A Rivers State High Court sitting in Port Harcourt has convicted and sentenced seven persons to death by hanging over the kidnap and murder of a Christian cleric, Reverend Edwin Isaiah Dokubo-Harry.

The murder allegedly occurred in 2013 at Abalama Community in Asari-Toru Local Government Area of the State.

Those sentenced to death are Precious Jack Opara, Answer Dick, Osaki Fubara, Prince Mikado Philip, Tienabeso George, Seleipri Fubara and Alaboeriya Fubara.

The court, however, discharged and acquitted two defendants, Emmanuel Isreal and Nephew Philemon, of the 25-count charge bordering on conspiracy, kidnapping, murder, unlawful possession of firearms and other related offences.

According to the prosecution, the convicts and some other suspects still at large had, on December 6, 2013, allegedly lured the late Reverend Dokubo-Harry into a forest at Abalama Community under suspicious circumstances before abducting him.

The prosecution further told the court that the deceased was blindfolded and tied by his captors during the operation, an act which eventually led to his death while in captivity.

Investigations later revealed that the body of the deceased cleric was allegedly dumped in a creek within the area after the assailants carried out the crime.

The trial judge, Justice Boma Diepiri, while delivering judgment, held that the prosecution had successfully established the offences of conspiracy, kidnapping, murder and unlawful possession of firearms against the seven convicts beyond reasonable doubt.

He consequently ordered that the convicts be hanged by the neck until they are confirmed dead in accordance with the provisions of the law.

Justice Diepiri also directed that the firearm allegedly recovered during investigation, alongside other exhibits tendered before the court, be handed over to the Nigerian Police for proper custody and further action.

The judgment, delivered recently after years of legal proceedings, has so far brought to a close one of the high-profile criminal cases that attracted widespread public attention across the state and beyond.

The atmosphere within the courtroom turned emotional shortly after the pronouncement of the judgment, as some of the convicts and their relatives reportedly broke down in tears while security operatives maintained order within the court premises.

The judgment is expected to rekindle discourse on the need for sustained efforts by security agencies and stakeholders towards tackling kidnapping and other violent crimes across Rivers State and the Niger Delta region.

By; King Onunwor