The political atmosphere in Nigeria is currently turgid, pregnant and abuzz with discussions and speculations about the possibility of the Supreme Court removing President Bola Tinubu from power.
Atiku Abubakar’s legal team, led by Chris Uche SAN, filed a motion on notice at the Supreme Court, invoking Order 2 Rule 12 of 1985. This motion seeks to admit fresh evidence of certificate forgery and perjury in support of Atiku’s pending appeal before the Court. Atiku asserts that the evidence he presents proves that Tinubu’s Diploma Certificate from Chicago State University is not authentic and was allegedly forged.
The motion filed by Atiku’s legal team is predicated on several grounds, the most significant being the release of academic records of Tinubu and the deposition of the Registrar of Chicago State University before a United States Court. These grounds further highlight the fact that Tinubu was not qualified to contest the election as required by Section 137 (1) (j) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended).
This development stems from recent revelations and lingering legal actions initiated by Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 general elections. Atiku’s legal team has presented fresh evidence to the Supreme Court, accusing President Tinubu of forgery and perjury. In this article, we will delve into the details of this case and explore the reasons why the Supreme Court may decide to remove President Tinubu from power.
The Allegations of Forgery and Perjury
Atiku Abubakar’s legal team has submitted new evidence to the Supreme Court, alleging that President Tinubu forged a certificate from Chicago State University (CSU) and committed perjury by submitting it to Nigeria’s Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) during the 2023 presidential election. The crux of the matter lies in the authenticity of the academic records of President Tinubu, which were obtained from CSU following an Illinois court order. Atiku’s legal team claims that the certificate submitted by Tinubu to INEC is a forgery and that the Chicago evidence supports this claim.
The Role of Chicago State University
Chicago State University plays a pivotal role in this case as it was compelled by a US court order to release President Tinubu’s academic records to Atiku’s legal team. The university provided the requested documents, allowing Atiku’s lawyers to scrutinize the records for any alleged discrepancies. The obtained records include certificates of other students, which were requested to compare and identify potential inconsistencies.
The deposition obtained from Chicago State University is crucial to Atiku’s case. It confirms that the certificate presented by Tinubu to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) did not originate from the university and that whoever issued the certificate did not have the authority of the Chicago State University. This deposition, made under oath in the presence of Tinubu’s attorney, is deemed credible and believable by Atiku’s legal team. They argue that this evidence is necessary for the resolution of the appeal and should be considered by the Court.
Scrutiny of the Documents
Atiku’s legal team has embarked on a thorough examination of the documents obtained from Chicago State University. The team aims to identify any discrepancies or irregularities that could support their claim of forgery and perjury against President Tinubu. The scrutiny involves comparing the submitted certificate with other relevant documents and conducting a detailed analysis of the information contained within.
Five Discrepancies Discovered
As Atiku’s legal team delved into the documents, they claimed to have identified five major discrepancies in President Tinubu’s academic records. These discrepancies cast doubt on the authenticity of the certificate submitted to INEC. The details of these discrepancies have not been disclosed publicly, but Atiku’s legal team states that they are significant and strengthen their case against President Tinubu. Some members of Atiku’s legal luminaries disclosed some of the discrepancies to include:
1. That the qualifying certificate from Southwest College to Chicago State University bears a female, therefore, the document does not belong to Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
2. That the same document, under deposition, says the “A” in Bola A. Tinubu is Ahmed, but the NYSC certificate Tinubu submitted to INEC says the “A” is Adekunle,” he said.
3. The Chicago State University admission form has a claim that Bola Ahmed Tinubu attended Government College, Lagos, and graduated in 1970, when indeed that school was established in 1974.
4. That the same document has it that the owner of that document is a black American, and (in) the document Bola Ahmed submitted to INEC, he denied having dual citizenship, which means it does not belong to him.
5. That the certificate issued or released by Chicago State University to the lawyers of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar showed that Bola Ahmed Tinubu forged the certificate he presented to INEC.
President Tinubu’s Response
In response to the allegations and legal actions initiated by Atiku’s legal team, Tunde Rahman, an aide to President Tinubu, dismissed the claims as politically motivated. Rahman labelled Atiku’s pursuit of the case as a “wild goose chase” and accused him of attempting to rally political and community leaders against Tinubu. President Tinubu’s camp has maintained that the allegations are baseless and aimed at tarnishing his reputation.
The Supreme Court’s Role
The Supreme Court holds the ultimate authority in deciding the outcome of this case. It will carefully consider the evidence and arguments presented by both parties before reaching a verdict. The court will assess the credibility and weight of the new evidence submitted by Atiku’s legal team and determine whether it is sufficient to warrant the removal of President Tinubu from power.
If the Supreme Court admits the fresh evidence presented by Atiku Abubakar, it could have far-reaching implications for Tinubu’s presidency. Presenting a forged certificate to INEC is a weighty constitutional matter, and the Court must carefully consider the evidence and its impact on the election results. If the Court finds in favour of Atiku, it could potentially result in the nullification of Tinubu’s victory and a reevaluation of the entire electoral process.
The Timing and Impact
Critics of Atiku’s actions question the timing and motivation behind the allegations, suggesting that they are politically motivated and aimed at gaining an advantage in future elections. However, supporters argue that the allegations deserve thorough examination and that if proven true, they could have a significant impact on the political landscape in Nigeria. The outcome of this case could potentially reshape the political dynamics of the country and have far-reaching consequences.
Public Perception and Expectations
The Nigerian public is closely following this case, eagerly awaiting the Supreme Court’s verdict.
Public sentiment surrounding President Tinubu is divided. While some believe in his innocence and question the timing and motives behind Atiku’s allegations, others are deeply concerned about the potential consequences of having a president involved in illegality and crime. The existing damage to Nigeria’s reputation and the urgency to restore the country’s image further fuel public scepticism towards President Tinubu.
The outcome of the case will shape the public perception of President Tinubu and Atiku Abubakar and could impact future elections. The public expects a fair and impartial judgment from the Supreme Court, one that upholds the principles of justice and transparency.
Conclusion
The allegations of forgery and perjury against President Bola Tinubu amid other criminal allegations and controversies have sparked a heightened disgust and anti-Tinubu sentiment among Nigerians especially those who opposed his candidacy. Atiku Abubakar’s legal team has presented new evidence to the Supreme Court, alleging that President Tinubu submitted a forged certificate to INEC. The Supreme Court’s decision in this case will have significant implications for Nigeria’s political future. As the legal drama unfolds, the nation awaits the court’s verdict, which will determine whether President Tinubu will be removed from power or not.
Disclaimer: The information presented in this article is based on the allegations and legal actions reported in the media space with references. The final verdict and outcome of the case are yet to be determined by the Supreme Court.
By Obinna Ejianya (9News Nigeria – Melbourne, Australia)
