The Supreme Court has said there are conflicting letters from the Chicago State University (CSU) on President Bola Tinubu’s certificate.

Justice John Okoro, Chairman of the 7-member panel hearing the application of Atiku Abubakar, Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), filed against the victory of President Bola Tinubu, said this on Monday.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had declared President Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) winner of February election but his opponents went to court.

The Presidential Election Petition Tribunal had struck out the appeals of Atiku and Peter Obi of Labour Party, but they headed for the apex court, with Atiku asking to filed extra evidence against Tinubu on alleged forgery.

Atiku had sought Tinubu’s academic record from Chicago State University so as to prove his allegation that the president submitted forged documents to INEC.

However, by the times the documents were released the 180 days statutory period within which an election petition should be filed and determined had elapsed.

But Atiku asked the court to grant his appeal to tender fresh evidence, given the nature of the issue. Tinubu kicked against this, saying granting such would amount to abuse of court process.

Atiku predicated his plea on the grounds that presenting forged documents by any candidate, especially by one for the highest office in the land, is a grave constitutional issue that must not be encouraged.

But Tinubu kicked, arguing that the issue is a pre-election matter amongst others and subsequently prayed the court to deny the grant of the application.


While faulting Tinubu, Atiku submitted that issues of merit ought not to be determined or pronounced upon at the interlocutory stage.

Atiku also pointed out that the presentation of a forged certificate disqualifies a candidate for all time, no matter when presented.

Speaking at the hearing on Monday, Justice Okoro said criminal matters have to be proved beyond reasonable doubt.

“But in this case, there are two conflicting letters from the CSU – one authenticating the president’s certificate and another discrediting it. Which do we rely on?,” he asked.

Nonny95:

But that university last Monday said on oath that Tinubu did not collect his degree certificate from the institution. So, where and how did our president get what he announced in London? Now, the whole world knows that what the president holds is not from the university; it is a counterfeit made by characters who would easily con Ali in ‘Ali and the Angel.

The certificate which our president submitted to INEC contains signatures of persons who were not where the document says they were when it was made. The document is dated 1979 but Tinubu did not claim losing the original certificate in 1979 so the replacement could not have been made in 1979. The people who signed it held no position in that university in 1979 but the document says they did. The legal authority that should issue it says it never did.

It is expected that the CJN and other Supreme Court Justices to courageously uphold the constitution by ensuring that a confirmed lawbreaker is not retained as the President and Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria.This criminal is ain't getting away

Atiku predicated his plea on the grounds that presenting forged documents by any candidate, especially by one for the highest office in the land, is a grave constitutional issue that must not be encouraged.

But Tinubu kicked, arguing that the issue is a pre-election matter amongst others and subsequently prayed the court to deny the grant of the application

Iamgrey5:
He is saying there's reasonable doubt to dismiss ATIKU'S case.

Racoon:
This criminal is ain't getting away

Nonny95:


You're okay like this?

One is a letter and the other a deposition under oath.

To you, which is stronger in law?

Nonny95:


You're okay like this?

One is a letter and the other a deposition under oath.

To you, which is stronger in law?

Mynd44:
Stop believing everything you read on twitter. One is a sworn statement, the other is a deposition.The problem is that the judge himself has raised the issue of reasonable doubt

psucc:
No sane Nigerian expects any tangible, positive outcome from the SC. Since the days of Uzodinma, the Nigerian SC lost her credibility.

We only expect them to approve lawlessness in Nigeria.

Iamgrey5:
The Judge said that certificate forgery is a criminal offense that has to be proven beyond reasonable doubt.

And there's reasonable doubt already established.

You should know where he is going with this.