Apparently seized by the president, the documents contained the name “Bola Adekunle Tinubu,” according to a witness.
Apparently seized by the president, the documents contained the name “Bola Adekunle Tinubu,” according to a witness.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate, Atiku Abubakar, submitted certified copies of President Bola Tinubu’s academic and professional records, and the court that hears presidential election petitions has accepted them.
The papers include a B.Sc. diploma from Chicago State University, a certificate of discharge from the NYSC, and a certificate of service from Mobil Nigeria Oil Plc.
Through their subpoenaed witness, private attorney Mike Enahoro-Ebah, the PDP had delivered the documents.
He pointed out that although the documents claimed to be from Tinubu, they actually had the name “Bola Adekunle Tinubu” on them.
Chris Uche, the PDP’s principal attorney, introduced the witness as well as the EC13 and EC9 nomination forms as well as the letters sent to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as exhibits.
Abubakar Mahmoud, Tinubu, Emmanuel Ukala, and Lateef Fagbemi, attorneys for the APC and INEC, respectively, raised objections to the admission of the documents.
(1) Tinubu’s nomination letter, Form EC9, certified true copies.
(2) payment for certification received.
(3) a letter of request for papers from a witness.
(4) The letter of response from INEC.
5) A certificate from the University of Chicago that belonged to Tinubu, the second respondent.
(6) Tinubu Bola Adekunle’s name appears on the NYSC release certificate pertaining to the second respondent.
(7) A Mobile Oil Nigeria PLC certificate of service.
Card proving party membership.
All of the respondents raised objections to the admission of these papers when the lead attorney for PDP attempted to offer them.
Additionally, the witness produced academic records from Chicago University, a copy of the subpoena issued to the institution, the original academic records and degree certificate, an original admission letter, and an original transcript from South West College, the school Tinubu attended and which was given to Chicago University with the gender indicated as Female.
Additionally, he presented the cover note approving the criminal confiscation of Tinubu’s assets as well as a notarized judgment from the United States. Additionally, copies of a passport from Guinea and Tinubu’s certificate of compliance were shown.
The PDP additionally offered
(1) 25 LGAs in Delta State’s forms EC8A certified true copies.
(2) Certified authentic copies of the EC8A forms from the 13 LGAs in the state of Ebonyi.
(3) Certified authentic copies of the EC8A forms from the 18 Edo state LGAs.
(4) Certified authentic copies of the EC8A forms from the 17 LGAs in the state of Enugu.
(5) Verified certified copies of the EC8A forms submitted by 27 LGAs in Imo State.
(6) Certified authentic copies of the EC8A forms from 21 Kogi state local government areas
The witness said, when being questioned in cross-examination by Abubakar Mahmoud, counsel for INEC, that he has not overspent financially despite his efforts to inform Nigerians of the truth.
The witness responded in the positive when asked if he was disappointed that his candidate did not win. The court then adjourned, rising to resume the cross-examination later.
The witness, Mike Enahoro-Ebah, said that he is not the official custodian of the certificate from Chicago State University and that it was issued to him when questioned by Wole Olanikpekun, the lawyer to President Tinubu.
He continued by saying that he was unable to confirm whether Tinubu had given up his citizenship in Guinea.
Olanikpekun continued by presenting the court with a letter from the school confirming Tinubu’s graduation with honors.
Olanikpekun’s letter was challenged by PDP attorney Chris Uche as being inadmissible, but the court accepted it as evidence.
After questioning 27 witnesses, the PDP formally filed an application to close its case in favor of the petitioners in accordance with Section 46(5) of the Electoral Act. The matter was then postponed until July 3rd so that the respondents may present their case.
