Fresh Evidence: Supreme Court Hears Atiku’s Motion October 23

Supreme Court has fixed October 23 for hearing in a motion by the former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar seeking to bring fresh evidence to prove that President Bola Tinubu submitted a forged certificate to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in aid of his qualification for the February 25 presidential election.

The apex court in a hearing notice issued to parties, Atiku’s lawyers and those of President Tinubu to address its panel of seven Justices on whether it has powers to grant the request.

Also to address the court on the contentious request are lawyers from the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the IndEpendent National Electoral Commission INEC who are joint respondents in the motion.

They are to argue before the Supreme Court and cite relevant laws on whether such a request is grantable under the country’s Constitution and the Electoral Act 2022.

The documents Atiku sought to tender are the academic records of Tinubu, which were handed over to him by the Chicago State University on Monday October 2, 2023.

The 32-page documents were released to the former Vice President on the orders of Judge Nancy Maldonado of the District Court of Illinois, Eastern Division, Illinois, United States of America.

The US court had ordered the CSU to release the said documents to Atiku despite Tinubu’s objection because the court was convinced that it would help Atiku establish his allegation of forgery and lying on oath against Tinubu, who won the February 25 presidential election.

The lead counsel to the presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party PDP, Chris Uche (SAN) confirmed that the application of his client has been slated for hearing on October 23.