The Presidential Election Petitions Court has accepted certified copies of President Bola Tinubu’s academic and work records, which were presented by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate, Atiku Abubakar.
The documents include Tinubu’s B.Sc. certificate from Chicago State University, an NYSC Discharge Certificate, and a certificate of service from Mobil Nigeria Oil Plc. These documents were submitted by a subpoenaed witness, Mike Enahoro-Ebah, a private legal practitioner.
Led by the lead Counsel to the PDP, Chris Uche, the witness also submitted the EC13 and EC9 nomination forms, as well as letters written to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as attachments.
Counsel representing INEC, Abubakar Mahmoud, Tinubu, Emmanuel Ukala, and the APC, Lateef Fagbemi, all objected to the admissibility of the documents.
The witness referred to the following documents:
- Certified true copies of form EC9 (Tinubu’s nomination letter).
- Receipt of payment for certification.
- Witness application letter requesting the documents.
- INEC’s letter of response.
- Certificate from Chicago University belonging to Tinubu.
- NYSC discharge certificate belonging to Tinubu with the name Tinubu Bola Adekunle.
- Certificate of service from Mobil Oil Nigeria PLC.
- Party membership card.
When the lead counsel for the PDP sought to submit these documents, all the respondents objected to their admissibility.
The witness also presented academic records from Chicago University, including a copy of the subpoena served on the university, the original academic records and degree certificate, original admission letter, and original transcript from the South West College to the school Tinubu attended, which identified the gender as female.
Additionally, the witness presented a notarized judgment from the USA for the criminal forfeiture of Tinubu’s assets, along with the cover note authorizing it. Extracts of a Guinea passport and a certificate of compliance for Tinubu were also presented.
The PDP further provided:
- Certified true copies of forms EC8A from 25 LGAs in Delta State.
- Certified true copies of forms EC8A from 13 LGAs in Ebonyi State.
- Certified true copies of forms EC8A from 18 LGAs in Edo State.
- Certified true copies of forms EC8A from 17 LGAs in Enugu State.
- Certified true copies of forms EC8A from 27 LGAs in Imo State.
- Certified true copies of forms EC8A from 21 LGAs in Kogi State.
During cross-examination by INEC’s counsel, Abubakar Mahmoud, the witness stated that he had not spent excessive amounts of money in his pursuit of the truth. When asked if he was unhappy with his candidate’s loss, the witness confirmed his dissatisfaction. The court then adjourned for further cross-examination.
When questioned by Wole Olanikpekun, President Tinubu’s counsel, the witness, Mike Enahoro-Ebah, clarified that he is not the official custodian of the certificate from Chicago State University; it was issued to him. He further explained that he did not verify whether Tinubu had renounced his Guinean citizenship.
Olanikpekun then presented a letter from the school stating that Tinubu graduated with honors, which he attempted to submit as evidence. PDP’s counsel, Chris Uche, objected to the admissibility of the letter, but the court accepted it as evidence.
The PDP formally requested to close its case for the petitioners according to paragraph 46 (5) of the Electoral Act after calling 27witnesses. Following this move, the case was adjourned to July 3rd for the respondents to open their defence.