The High Court has declined to certify as urgent a petition seeking to stop the government from spending public funds on the proposed January 5, 2027 football friendly between German giants Bayern Munich and Dutch side AFC Ajax.

Justice Roselyne Aburili, in directions issued on November 2, 2026, said she was not satisfied that the petition warranted urgent consideration or that the court should grant the interim conservatory orders sought before hearing the matter.

‎The petitioners also want the court to bar the respondents from entering into financial commitments, guarantees, indemnities or contractual obligations that could expose public funds to liabilities arising from the event.

They further seek orders compelling the government to disclose all sponsorship agreements, financial commitments, government guarantees, contracts and budgetary allocations relating to the proposed match.

‎In addition, the petitioners want all financial records, procurement documents and correspondence relating to the event preserved pending the determination of the case.

‎However, Justice Aburili directed the petitioners to serve the petition and the notice of motion dated November 1, 2026, upon all respondents and interested parties.

The respondents and interested parties have been given 10 days after service to file and serve their responses.

The petitioners had sought priority hearing of the case, citing the scheduled January 5, 2027 fixture and the need to prevent potentially unlawful expenditure of public funds.

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