LAGOS, Nigeria(VOICE OF NAIJA) – Atiku Abubakar, the PDP presidential candidate, has requested the US District Court in Chicago to dismiss President Bola Tinubu’s objections to releasing his academic records from Chicago State University by October 2, 2023.
In an application submitted to the court on September 27, Atiku refuted Tinubu’s characterization of his suit as a mere “fishing expedition” unrelated to the presidential election petition case.
Atiku clarified that his request for the release of academic records is not a frivolous exercise, but rather a crucial step in verifying the authenticity of 12 pages of documents, including two different diplomas allegedly issued by California State University (CSU). These documents serve as the basis for CSU’s claim that Tinubu graduated in 1979.
Atiku pointed out the existence of discrepancies and highlighted Tinubu’s affidavit submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as further cause for investigation.
According to Atiku Abubakar, the evidence obtained from the case will be sent to Nigeria by October 4. This will allow for the timely filing of such evidence with the Supreme Court by October 5. Atiku’s legal team intends to submit any new evidence to the Supreme Court on that date.
“For the foregoing reasons, the Court should overrule the objections in their entirety. If the Court overrules the objections, the applicant respectfully requests that it enter an order requiring the production of documents no later than October 2, 2023, and the deposition scheduled no later than October 3, to allow time for transcripts to be finalised, and the discovery obtained to be sent to Nigeria (which is six (6) hours ahead) by October 4 so that such evidence may, in turn, be filed with the Supreme Court by October 5, which is when applicant’s Nigerian counsel intend to submit any new evidence to the Supreme Court,” he said.
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Recall that on August 2, 2023, Atiku initiated legal proceedings in a US court, seeking the release of all academic records pertaining to Tinubu from Chicago State University (CSU). Atiku’s motivation behind this action stems from alleged irregularities in the certificate submitted by Tinubu to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The former vice president believes that these records hold the key to clarifying inconsistencies in Tinubu’s educational background.
One specific concern highlighted by Atiku is the emergence of a second diploma from CSU, dated June 27, 1979, bearing the name “Bola Ahmed Tinubu.” Atiku has pointed out significant differences in font, punctuation, seal, and signatures when compared to the diploma issued on June 22, 1979, raising doubts about their authenticity.
Atiku’s primary objective in seeking access to these documents is to verify whether the diploma submitted to INEC before the February 2023 presidential election under the name Bola Ahmed Tinubu is genuine or potentially a forgery.
In a recent development, President Tinubu has requested the court to permit the release of his certificate by CSU while preventing the disclosure of any additional information, including the certificate holder’s gender and educational history. This request comes after a US magistrate judge, Jeffrey Gilbert, had ordered CSU to provide Atiku with “all relevant and non-privileged documents” within a two-day timeframe.
The legal dispute between Atiku and Tinubu takes on significant importance as it revolves around the authenticity of academic records and raises questions about the credibility of Tinubu’s qualifications. The court’s decision on Atiku’s plea to access and examine the requested documents will play a crucial role in shaping the outcome of this contentious case.
The unfolding of this legal saga will be closely watched, given its potential ramifications for the individuals involved and the broader political landscape in Nigeria.
