Tribunal admits Chicago varsity, NYSC, other certificates against Tinubu
The Presidential Election Petitions Court has admitted certified copies of academic and work records of President Bola Tinubu tendered by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate, Atiku Abubakar, reading different names that he registered with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The documents, which were tendered on Friday, include a B.Sc. certificate from Chicago State University, an NYSC Discharge Certificate, and a Mobil Nigeria Oil Plc certificate of service.
The PDP had brought the documents through their subpoenaed witness, Mike Enahoro Ebah, Esq, who noted that the documents were “purportedly” obtained by Tinubu but bore the name ‘Bola Adekunle Tinubu’.
Led in evidence by PDP counsel, Chris Uche, SAN, the witness also tendered forms EC13 and EC9 nomination forms and the letters written to INEC as attachments.
Counsel to INEC, Abubakar Mahmoud, Tinubu, Emmanuel Ukala, and the APC, Lateef Fagbemi, all objected to the admissibility of the documents.
The referenced documents were certified true copies of form EC9(Nomination letter of Tinubu); receipt of payment for certification; witness application letter, requesting the documents; INEC’s Letter of response; Certificate from Chicago university belonging to the 2nd respondent( Tinubu); NYSC discharge certificate belonging to the 2nd respondent, with the name Tinubu Bola Adekunle; Certificate of service from Mobile Oil Nigeria PLC; Party Membership card.
When the lead counsel to PDP applied to tender these documents, all the respondents objected to their admissibility.
The witness also tendered academic records from Chicago University, a copy of the subpoena served on the Chicago University, the original academic records and degree certificate, original admission letter, and original transcript from Southwest College to the school Tinubu attended, given to Chicago University with the gender referred to as Female.
He also tendered a notarized judgment of the USA for criminal forfeiture of assets of Tinubu and the cover note authorizing it. Furthermore, extracts from a Guinea passport and the certificate of compliance for Tinubu were also presented.
Other documents presented were Certified true copies of forms EC8A’s of 25 LGAs in Delta State; Certified true copies of forms EC8A’s of 13 LGA’s in Ebonyi State; Certified true copies of forms EC8A’s of 18 LGAs in Edo State; Certified true copies of forms EC8A’s of 17 LGAs in Enugu State; Certified true copies of forms EC8A’s of 27 LGAs in Imo State; Certified true copies of forms EC8A’s of 21 LGAs in Kogi State.
Credit: The Punch