The Federal High Court has adjourned former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s suit challenging President Bola Tinubu’s eligibility to contest the 2027 presidential election to September 28.

The adjournment followed submissions by Atiku’s lawyer, Joseph Silas Onu, that the originating processes in the suit had not yet been personally served on President Tinubu.

During Monday’s proceedings, Onu told the court that he required an order permitting service of the court documents on the President through substituted means.

However, Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Omosanya Popoola, who led a team of lawyers representing Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress (APC), volunteered to accept service on behalf of the President.

Popoola urged the court to direct Atiku’s lawyer to hand the documents to him in open court for onward transmission to Tinubu.

Onu objected, insisting that Popoola should first provide a written undertaking confirming that he had President Tinubu’s mandate to accept service and represent him in the matter.

Although Popoola assured the court that Tinubu had authorised him to represent the President, Atiku’s lawyer maintained that, given the sensitive nature of the case, his client preferred personal service or an order for substituted service.

Justice Inyang Ekwo, after hearing the parties, said he could not dictate to the plaintiffs how they should conduct their case.

The judge consequently adjourned the matter for mention on September 28.

Justice Ekwo also warned the parties against discussing details of the pending case in the media, vowing to take drastic action against anyone who violated the directive.