Law
CSU controversy: Atiku proceeds to Supreme Court with fresh evidence against Tinubu
The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Atiku Abubakar has approach the Apex Court with a fresh evidence of forgery from Chicago against the qualifications of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the February 25, 2023 presidential election.
Atiku, a former Vice President asserted categorically and authoritatively that the Diploma Certificate of the Chicago State University (CSU) used by Tinubu to secure qualifications for participation in the 2023 election is fake having been allegedly forged.
In a motion on notice filed by his legal team headed by Chris Uche (SAN), Atiku asked the Supreme Court to invoke its Order 2 Rule 12 of 1985 to admit the fresh evidence of certificate forgery and perjury in support of his pending appeal before the Court to do substantial justice to his case.
Atiku in the motion marked SC/CV/935/2023 prayed the Apex Court to grant him leave to produce the additional evidence and for the Court to receive the fresh evidence from him.
Respondents in the motion are the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC), Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and the All Progressive Congress (APC) as 1st to 3rd respectfully.
The motion is predicated on several grounds but mainly on the release of Academic Records of Tinubu, evidence of the Registrar of the Chicago State University before a United States of America Court and the deposition of the same witness in respect of the Diploma Certificate President Tinubu presented to the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC for the purpose of eligibility for the election.
Other grounds in the motion are that “The 2nd Respondent ( Tinubu) was not qualified at the time of the election to contest the election as required by section 137 (1) (j) of the
Corstitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended).
“Based on facts available to the Appellants/Applicants (Atiku) at the time of filing their Petition, the 1st Appellants/Applicant (Atiku Abubakar) through his United States of
American lawyers, Alexander de Gramont and Argela M. Liu of the law firm of Dechert LLP, unsuccessfully applied to Chicago State University for the release of copies of the academic records of the 2nd Respondent.
“Given the strict privacy laws in the jurisdiction of Chicago State University, the request for the release of the academic records and certificate issued to the 2nd Respondent could not be granted without an order, of court and for the purpose of use in pending court proceedings.
The 1st Applicant through his said US-based Attomeys thereupon, brought an action in the U.S. District Court for the Northem District of Illhois in re: Application of Atiku Abubakar for an Order Directing Discovery from Chicago State University Case No. 23-CV-05099 for an order for the production of documents and testimony for use in a proceeding in a
foreign court, seeking documents and testimony from Chicago State University conceming the authenticity and origin of documents purporting to be the educational records of the 2nd Respondent, Bola A.Tinubu.
“The 2nd Respondent (Tinubu) applied and was joined in the matter as an Intervenor,
vehemently opposed the application.
“On September 19, 2023, the Court issued an order granting the application and
thereafter, the 2nd Respondent applied for an emergency stay of the Court Order, claiming that he would suffer irreparable damage and irjury if his educational records were released: which order of stay was granted.
“On September 30, 2023, the Court overruled the 2nd Respondent’s objections and ordered Chicago State University to produce tbe documents on October 2, 2023, and to produce a witness for deposition on October 3, 2023.
“On October 2, 2023. Chlcago State University produced the documents pursuant to the Coun’s Order.
“On October 3, 2023, also pursuant to the Court’s Order, Chicago State University provided a witness to give deposition testimony, in which deposition, Chicago State University disclaimed ownership and authorship of the document that the 2nd Respondent presented to INEC, purporting to be “Chicago State University certificate” and also disclaimed issuing any replacement certificate to him.
“The deposition was not in existence or available at the time of filing the petition.
“The deposition sought to be adduced is, along with its accompanying documents, such as would have important effect in the resolution of this appeal.
“The deposition is relevant to this matter, having confirmed that the certificate presented by the 2nd Respondent to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) did not emanate from Chicago State
University, and that whoever issued the certificate presented by the 2nd Respondent, did not have the authority of the Chicago State Universiity, and that the 2nd Respondent never applied for any replacement certificate
nor was he issued any replacement certificate by the Chicago State University.
“The deposition which is on oath and deposed to in the presence of the 2nd Respondent’s Attomey is credible and believable and ought to be believed.
“The deposition is clear and unambiguous, and no further evidence is needed to be adduced on it. The evidence is such that could not have been obtained without reasonable
diligence for use at the trial, as the deposition required the cornmencement of the suit in the United States of America before receiving same. It is not possible to obtain the said evidence before the trial at the Court below.
“The deposition was made on October 03, 2Q23 after the conclusion of trial at the Court below, and was not available to be tendered at the trial.
“Presentation of a forged Certificate to the lndependent National Electoral
Commission by a candidate in an election to the office of President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is a weighty constitutioral matter,
requiring consideration by the Court as custodians of the Constitution.
“The original certified deposition has been forwarded to the Honourable
Court by a letter addressed to the Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court
“It is in the interest of justice for the Honourabie Court to exercise its discretion in favour of the Appellants/Applicants.
The motion was supported by an affidavit deposed to on behalf of Atiku and PDP by one Uyi Giwa-Osagie, a legal practitioner.
The affidavit read in part “That the 1st Appellant/Applicant contested the election to the ofiice of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on the platform of the 2nd Appellant/Applicant, which election was conducted by the 1st Respondent
on the 25th day of February 2023.
“That the 1st Respondent retumed the 2nd Respondent as the winner of the said election, and hence the Appellants, being dissatisfied with tle retum, filed a Petition on the 21st day of March 2023 before the Court of Appeal
sitting as the Presidential Election Petition Count.
“That the Court below had by a judgment delivered on 6th September 2023
dismissed the said Petition, whereupon the Appellants/Applicants appealed against the said judgment to this Honourable Court in
September 2023.
“That the Record of Appeal has been transmitted to this Honourable Court
and the appeal duly entered, and the said Record ofAppeal is now before
this Honourable Court, running into over 9,000 pages in 11 Volumes, upon which the Appellants/Applicarts are relying in this application.
“That I know that one of the grounds of the Appellants/Applicants’ Petition before the Court below is that the 2nd Respondent (Tinubu) was not qualified at the time of the election to contest the election and did not meet the constitutiolal theshold to contest
Meanwhile, no date has yet been fixed for hearing of the motion.
The Edo State Gubernatorial Election Petition Tribunal, on Tuesday, expressed its displeasure with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate, Asue Ighodalo, for failing to produce witnesses in their petition challenging the outcome of the September 21, 2024, governorship election.
Presiding over the tribunal’s first sitting in Abuja following its relocation from Benin, Justice Wilfred Kpochi criticized the PDP’s inability to utilize the scheduled time effectively, stating it had wasted judicial resources.
The tribunal, which was relocated to Abuja amidst security concerns and fears of possible arson, had cleared its docket on Tuesday to focus solely on the PDP’s petition. However, the party’s counsel, Adetunji Oyeyipo, SAN, cited travel disruptions as the reason for the absence of key witnesses, despite prior commitments.
“My lords, most of our witnesses faced travel difficulties. We assure you they will be available at the next sitting,” Oyeyipo pleaded.
Justice Kpochi, visibly irked, questioned the seriousness of the petitioners. “Why then did we reschedule other matters to prioritize yours? We could have heard other cases today.”
Despite Oyeyipo’s plea for understanding, the tribunal adjourned the matter to Thursday, emphasizing the need for expediency in the proceedings.
Earlier in the session, Mr. Oseyili Anenih, who served as the PDP’s Director of Research and Strategy during the election, admitted under cross-examination that his observations were based on reports from the party’s situation room, not direct interactions with polling units.
Anenih revealed that PDP is contesting the results from 765 of Edo’s 4,519 polling units, alleging that many valid votes were not properly transmitted to the state collation centers. He also confirmed the party’s reliance on screenshots of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) machines, as they lacked physical access to the devices.
While acknowledging inconsistencies in the stamping of results, Anenih argued that the stamped copies represented a significant sample of the alleged irregularities.
The PDP and Ighodalo have asked the tribunal to nullify the election of Governor Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC). They allege widespread non-compliance with the Electoral Act and other irregularities, arguing that their candidate secured the majority of valid votes.
Governor Okpebholo’s counsel, Onyechi Ikpeazu, SAN, dismissed the claims, emphasizing the lack of concrete evidence from the petitioners.
As the tribunal prepares to resume on Thursday, all eyes remain on the PDP to present its case and witnesses. The outcome of the petition could significantly impact the political landscape in Edo State.
Legal powerhouse, Falana and Falana Chambers, has filed petitions with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) against Rebecca Omokamo Godwin Isaac, also known as Hajia Bilikisu Ishaqu Aliyu, and her firm, Homadil Realty Limited. 
The allegations include financial fraud, forgery of documents, and illegal land grabbing involving Plot 4022 in Guzape, Abuja.
The petitions, made on behalf of the Yesufu family, accuse Mrs. Omokamo and her associates of conspiracy, forgery, and fraudulent acquisition of funds.
The legal battle dates back to 2014 when Mrs. Omokamo allegedly purchased the disputed land but subsequently lost its title documents. 
The Yesufu family claims ownership and has been in protracted legal and investigative disputes over the land.
In a related incident in May 2024, a PREMIUM TIMES reporter, Emmanuel Agbo, investigating the case, was summoned by the police after communications with Mrs. Omokamo.
She denied the allegations in conversations but later accused the EFCC of harassment in an open letter to President Bola Tinubu. Mrs. Omokamo claimed EFCC interference in what she called a civil matter, further alleging the unjust detention of her husband and staff.
However, subsequent investigations by the EFCC and the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) reportedly uncovered extensive fraudulent dealings tied to Mrs. Omokamo.
The findings led to separate petitions to the ICPC, prompting further investigations into alleged forgery of land titles and fraudulent sales involving multiple properties, including a 2.3-hectare plot in Katampe District, Abuja.
Efforts to resolve the matter amicably, including appeals by Mrs. Omokamo’s husband and traditional rulers to the Yesufu family, reportedly failed. Allegations emerged that Mrs. Omokamo had sold the Katampe property to over 60 victims using forged documents.
Her purported resistance to settlement and her legal maneuvers to block investigations drew criticism.
In October 2024, Mrs. Omokamo filed a motion at the Federal High Court in Abuja to prevent further investigations by the EFCC and ICPC. Simultaneously, her husband reportedly sought forgiveness from the Yesufu family, a move seen as contradictory given Mrs. Omokamo’s legal actions.
The Yesufu family, represented by Falana and Falana Chambers, has called for the prosecution of Mrs. Omokamo, her husband, and their accomplices.
They also requested investigation reports to aid civil proceedings. Meanwhile, the company’s secretary, Mr. Kolawole James Olowokere, recently withdrew his
In a bid to mark the 2024 Christmas season with acts of compassion, Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has granted clemency to Segun Olowookere and Sunday Morakinyo.
They were sentenced to death in 2014 for robbery-related offenses committed in 2010.
The duo, aged 17 at the time, had been convicted of stealing two fowls, eggs, and mobile phones from individuals in Okuku, Osun State.
Despite the minor theft, the court had sentenced them to death by hanging in 2014, sparking nationwide outrage over the severity of the punishment.
Ademola Adeleke
They were granted a prerogative of mercy alongside 51 other convicts who had varying levels of sentences in correctional centres in Osun, by the governor.
The governor’s decision, made on the recommendation of the State Advisory Council on the Prerogative of Mercy, highlighted a broader push for prison reforms and justice review in the state.
Governor Adeleke, through his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, stated that the clemency alignsled with constitutional powers and the spirit of the season.
“This exercise of mercy follows the recommendations made by the State Advisory Council and underscores the administration’s commitment to fairness and humanity,” Rasheed said in a statement.
The letter of commutation, dated December 24, 2024, has been officially acknowledged by prison authorities.
The governor’s move has sparked debates over Nigeria’s judicial process, with human rights advocates praising the decision as a step toward addressing sentencing disparities and prison decongestion.
The case of Olowookere and Morakinyo, sentenced as teenagers, drew public attention due to the severity of their punishment relative to the crime.
Their release is expected to reignite discussions on justice reforms and youth rehabilitation programs.
In his address, Governor Adeleke emphasized the importance of second chances and pledged to continue reviewing cases deserving of mercy while balancing justice with compassion.
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