Tribunal Admits Certificates from Chicago State University, NYSC, and Mobil Against Tinubu

In the ongoing Presidential Election Petitions Court, certified copies of academic and work records belonging to President Bola Tinubu were admitted as evidence against him. These documents, including a B.Sc certificate from Chicago State University, NYSC Discharge Certificate, and Mobil Nigeria Oil Plc certificate of service, were tendered by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate, Atiku Abubakar.

The documents were presented through the PDP’s subpoenaed witness, Mike Enahoro-Ebah, a Private Legal Practitioner. Enahoro-Ebah stated that the documents were purportedly obtained by Tinubu but bore the name ‘Bola Adekunle Tinubu’.

Led by the lead Counsel to the PDP, Chris Uche, the witness also submitted forms EC13 and EC9 nomination forms, as well as letters written to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as attachments.

Objections to the admissibility of the documents were raised by the counsels representing INEC, Tinubu, Emmanuel Ukala, and the APC, namely Abubakar Mahmoud and Lateef Fagbemi.

The witness tendered several items, including certified true copies of Tinubu’s nomination letter (form EC9), payment receipts for certification, an application letter requesting the documents, INEC’s response letter, Tinubu’s certificate from Chicago University, NYSC discharge certificate under the name Tinubu Bola Adekunle, certificate of service from Mobil Oil Nigeria PLC, and party membership card.

When the PDP’s lead counsel sought to tender these documents, all the respondents objected to their admissibility.

Additionally, the witness presented academic records from Chicago University, a copy of the subpoena served on the university, original academic records and degree certificate, original admission letter, original transcript from Southwest College to the school Tinubu attended, which referred to Tinubu as female.

Other items included a notarized judgment from the USA for criminal forfeiture of Tinubu’s assets, the cover note authorizing it, extracts of a Guinea passport, and Tinubu’s certificate of compliance.

The PDP also presented certified true copies of forms EC8A from various local government areas in Delta, Ebonyi, Edo, Enugu, Imo, and Kogi states.

During cross-examination by INEC’s counsel, Abubakar Mahmoud, the witness claimed not to have spent excessive money in his pursuit of truth. When asked if he was dissatisfied with his candidate’s loss, the witness affirmed the sentiment. The court then adjourned for further cross-examination.