US court hears Tinubu’s alleged forgery case to ‘clear inconsistencies’
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
Bola Tinubu’s alleged certificate forgery case filed by Atiku Abubakar in the United States has been fixed for hearing tomorrow at 1.30pm (7.30pm Nigerian time) by the District Court for the Northern District of Illinois.
Atiku of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) alleged the President adopted the credentials of one Bola A. Tinubu, a female, to obtain or counterfeit the lady’s original CSU certificate, thereby allegedly committing identity theft, age falsification, certificate forgery, and perjury.
Any of these crimes, if proven, constitutionally disqualifies Tinubu from the office of President.
But the Presidential Election Petition Court (PEPC) in its judgment in Abuja on September 6 declined to examine the merit of the allegation under a technicality that Atiku’s witness who presented the documents was incompetent because he had no locus standi to do so.
Atiku is seeking a subpoena on Chicago State University (CSU) to release Tinubu’s academic records to him (Atiku) directly to shed light on discrepancies in the certificate Tinubu submitted on oath to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Atiku believes the documents would help clarify inconsistencies in Tinubu’s biodata and academic credentials – which Tinubu does not want the public to know.
CSU has agreed in court to release Tinubu’s credentials once the court issues the subpoena in a statement dated August 23 signed by CSU counsel.
The university said once it gets an order from the court, the academic records of Tinubu will be released but pleaded with the court to be specific with the demands it seeks.
Judge Jeffrey Gilbert directed Tinubu to provide an explanation by August 23 regarding the potential release of his academic records at CSU to Atiku.
Tinubu’s attorney submitted a statement on August 23 as part of his legal argument, asking CSU not to release his academic credentials to Atiku.
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Related articles:
How PEPC ab initio ‘locked down’ judgment in favour of Tinubu
Tinubu has 2 CSU certificates and “either ‘A’ or ‘B’ is fake (if not both)”, lawyer tells US court
Tinubu asks US court to hide his CSU records to shield him from public scrutiny
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Hearing in-person
The US court in the docket entry made by the clerk on September 8 said the matter is set for hearing in-person on September 12 at 1:30pm in courtroom 1386, per reporting by The Sun.
“If respondent Chicago State University objects to the scope of petitioner Abubakar’s subpoenas for documents and for a deposition under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 30(b)(6), as originally issued [1-1][1-2] or as modified [22-1] [22-3], it should file any objections by 5:00 p.m. on 9/11/23 rather than reserve those objections until a later date,” the docket stressed.
“This matter is set for hearing in-person on 9/12/23 at 1:30 p.m. in Courtroom 1386. If out of town counsel want to appear by telephone, they should contact the Court’s courtroom deputy. The Court’s preference, however, is for counsel who will be speaking at the hearing to appear in person. Mailed notice.
“This notice is being sent pursuant to Rule 77(d) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure or Rule 49(c) of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure. It was generated by CM/ECF, the automated docketing system used to maintain the civil and criminal dockets of this District.
“If a minute order or other document is enclosed, please refer to it for additional information.”
Below is the Court Document:
