A United States Court has issued a directive to the Chicago State University (CSU) regarding the release of President Bola Tinubu’s academic records to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.
The presiding judge, Nancy Maldonado, has dismissed Tinubu’s objections and set a two-day deadline for CSU to provide the requested documents to Atiku.
Judge Maldonado upheld the earlier ruling made on September 20 by US Magistrate Judge Jeffery Gilbert, which had ordered CSU to release Tinubu’s academic records in response to Atiku’s request.
The judge emphasized that Atiku, the presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), had the right to access these records.
In her ruling, Judge Maldonado stated, “For the reasons stated in the Court’s accompanying Memorandum Opinion and Order, the Court overrules President Tinubu’s objections and adopts Judge Gilbert’s recommended decision in full.
The Court, therefore, grants Mr. Abubakar’s application under 28 U.S.C. § 1782.”
Furthermore, the court has set a timeline for CSU to comply with the directive. CSU is instructed to produce all relevant and non-privileged documents in response to specific requests by Atiku’s legal team by 12:00 p.m. (noon) CDT on Monday, October 2, 2023.
Additionally, the Rule 30(b)(6) deposition of CSU’s corporate designee must be completed by 5:00 p.m. CDT on Tuesday, October 3, 2023.
Atiku’s request for Tinubu’s academic records stems from his ongoing legal challenge to the outcome of the February 25 presidential election in Nigeria.
Atiku, the PDP candidate, has argued that the documents are essential in supporting his claim that Tinubu allegedly forged a certificate from CSU in 1979, which he submitted to Nigeria’s Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the 2023 presidential election.
This court ruling represents a significant development in the legal proceedings surrounding the presidential election and the authenticity of Tinubu’s academic qualifications.
