In a significant development, the Chairman of the Supreme Court panel overseeing appeals against the election of President Bola Tinubu, Justice John Okoro, has issued a pivotal directive.
He stated that Atiku Abubakar, the standard bearer of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the February presidential election, must prove the allegation of certificate forgery against the former Lagos State governor beyond reasonable doubt.
This assertion was made during the hearing of the election petition appeals filed by Atiku and Peter Obi of the Labour Party.
It followed Atiku’s lead counsel, Chris Uche, SAN, urging the court to admit fresh evidence brought by the petitioners.
In an effort to nullify Tinubu’s victory and substantiate the claim that he was not qualified to contest the presidential poll, Atiku had sought an order from an Illinois Chicago district court to compel Chicago State University to release the President’s academic records.
Atiku had accused Tinubu of falsifying a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration diploma awarded in 1979 by Chicago State University, which he had submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission.
Atiku demanded access to a copy of any diploma issued by CSU in 1979, a copy of the diploma issued to Tinubu in 1979, and copies of diplomas with the same font, seal, signatures, and wording awarded to other students similar to what CSU awarded to Tinubu in 1979.
Tinubu’s lawyers opposed Atiku’s application, citing privacy concerns while conceding that only the certificate should be released, not other privileged records.
However, the United States court ordered the release of Tinubu’s academic records, which Atiku filed in support of his election petition appeal at the Supreme Court.
Addressing the apex court, Chris Uche insisted that the matter concerning Tinubu’s academic records was of great importance and urged the Supreme Court to admit it as fresh evidence. He emphasized that the court should look at Tinubu’s records and reach a decision without technicalities.
Justice Okoro described the matter as criminal in nature, indicating that it must be proven beyond reasonable doubt.
He pointed out that there were two conflicting letters from Chicago State University, one authenticating Tinubu’s certificate and the other discrediting it.
This case, which has significant implications for the presidential election, is now under the scrutiny of the Supreme Court, with various legal arguments and counterarguments being presented.
The court has reserved judgment in the matter, and its decision will play a vital role in determining the outcome of this dispute. Additionally, the court has reserved judgment in the appeal filed by the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, against the tribunal’s judgment affirming Tinubu’s election.
The judgment date will be communicated to all parties involved.
