LAGOS, Nigeria(VOICE OF NAIJA) – The US court in the Northern District of Illinois has granted a stay on the order mandating Chicago State University (CSU) to disclose President Bola Tinubu’s academic records within a two-day timeframe.
In response to the request made by Atiku Abubakar, US Magistrate Judge Jeffrey Gilbert issued an approval for the release of records and set a deadline of 48 hours for Chicago State University (CSU) to comply.
Initially, CSU was required to submit the requested documents by the end of Thursday, as per Gilbert’s order.
However, during an emergency hearing held on Thursday, US District Judge Nancy Maldonado concurred with the decision to extend the deadline.
In a recent development, Judge Nancy Maldonado has instructed the legal representatives from both sides to submit additional arguments by the following Thursday.
This directive arose after lawyers representing Tinubu contended that the decision made by Magistrate Judge Jeffrey Gilbert required review by a district judge, a request which was subsequently granted by Maldonado.
Recognizing the importance of adhering to legal deadlines in Nigeria, Judge Maldonado acknowledged that she “will have a busy weekend”
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Abubakar has taken legal action by approaching the court with a request to compel Chicago State University (CSU) to release the academic records in question.
These records pertain to Tinubu, whose credentials indicate that he obtained a bachelor’s degree in business administration, accounting, and management from CSU in 1979.
However, allegations have emerged regarding potential discrepancies with Tinubu’s certificate.
In the suit filed before the US district court, Abubakar has requested that the court issue a subpoena to obtain Tinubu’s files, which are currently held by CSU.
Abubakar contends that the release of these files will help resolve the controversy surrounding Tinubu’s academic background.
In response, President Tinubu, through his legal representative, has submitted a counter application opposing the request for the release of his academic records.
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Furthermore, Tinubu has also sought to be included as a party to the lawsuit, emphasizing that the requested information pertains to his personal records.
“Mr. Tinubu should be allowed to join or intervene because he has a direct personal interest in records sought, his interests are not fully represented or protected by Respondent Chicago State University, and his interests will be affected if he is not permitted to join or intervene,” the motion filed by Christopher Carmichael, Tinubu’s lawyer, reads.
Abubakar had filed an appeal at the supreme court against the judgment of the tribunal that affirmed Tinubu’s election.
The deadline for submitting a petition to the Supreme Court, following the verdict of the tribunal, is set at 14 days. Consequently, the deadline expired on September 20.
During the hearing held on Thursday, Michael Hayes, the attorney representing Chicago State University (CSU), expressed the university’s desire for clarification and stated their readiness to furnish the requested documents promptly, pending the resolution of the legal matters at hand.
“We don’t have a dog in this fight,” Hayes said.
Hayes added that the university has amassed significant legal fees and unwarranted bad publicity “because of the political fight in a foreign land”