In a remarkable development at the Presidential Election Petitions Court, certified copies of President Bola Tinubu’s academic and work records have been ruled as fraudulent.
The contentious documents, tendered by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate, Atiku Abubakar, include a B.Sc. certificate from Chicago State University, an NYSC Discharge Certificate, and a Mobil Nigeria Oil Plc certificate of service.
The PDP called upon Mike Enahoro-Ebah, a private legal practitioner and subpoenaed witness, to present the documents. Each one, purportedly obtained by Tinubu, bore the name ‘Bola Adekunle Tinubu’.
“The documents were purportedly obtained by Tinubu but bore the name ‘Bola Adekunle Tinubu’” – Mike Enahoro-Ebah
As reported on MandyNews, Enahoro-Ebah, led in evidence by the lead Counsel to the PDP, Chris Uche, also tendered the EC13 and EC9 nomination forms and the letters written to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as attachments.
These documents were objected to by counsel to INEC, Abubakar Mahmoud, Tinubu’s representative, Emmanuel Ukala, and the APC’s representative, Lateef Fagbemi.
The witness highlighted the following critical documents:
- Certified true copies of form EC9(Nomination letter of Tinubu)
- Receipt of payment for certification
- Witness application letter, requesting for the documents
- INEC’s Letter of response
- Certificate from Chicago University in the name of the 2nd respondent (Tinubu)
- NYSC discharge certificate bearing the name ‘Tinubu Bola Adekunle’
- Certificate of service from Mobile Oil Nigeria PLC
- Party Membership card
However, all respondents objected to the admissibility of these documents.
“When the lead counsel to PDP applied to tender this documents, all the respondents objected to their admissibility.” – MandyNews
Further evidence tendered by the witness included academic records from Chicago University, a subpoena served on the university, original academic records and degree certificate, and original admission letter.
Of note was the gender discrepancy on the original transcript from South west college, where Tinubu attended before transferring to Chicago University; it referred to him as female.
Moreover, the PDP presented a notarized judgment from the USA for criminal forfeiture of assets of Tinubu and the cover note authorizing it, extracts of a Guinean passport, and a certificate of compliance for Tinubu.
Additionally, certified true copies of forms EC8A’s from multiple LGAs in various states such as Delta, Ebonyi, Edo, Enugu, Imo, and Kogi were also presented by the PDP.
Under cross-examination, the witness stated that he was indeed displeased that his candidate lost, yet his main aim was to bring the truth to Nigerians. He further confessed he was not the official custodian of the certificate from Chicago State University, and it was issued to him.
The Counsel to PDP, Chris Uche objected to the admissibility of a document tendered by Wole Olanikpekun, the counsel to President Tinubu – a letter from the School stating that Tinubu graduated with honours.
“I am not the official custodian of the certificate from Chicago State University” – Mike Enahoro-Ebah
After calling 27 witnesses, the PDP formally closed its case for the petitioners according to paragraph 46 (5) of the Electoral Act. The case was then adjourned to July 3rd for the respondents to open their defence.
As the nation waits for the proceedings of the tribunal, the allegations against Bola Tinubu continue to be the centre of public discourse and coverage, including on MandyNews.com.
Keep following MandyNews for further updates and insights into this ongoing tribunal case.
