Chicago Certificate Saga: US Court Delays Judgement in Atiku, Tinubu’s Case, Gives Reason

Chicago Certificate Saga: US Court Delays Judgement in Atiku, Tinubu’s Case, Gives Reason

  • President Bola Tinubu and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar will wait a little longer for the final verdict of the US Court
  • Atiku and Tinubu have been in a heated legal battle over the President's academic records at the Chicago State University (CSU)
  • Tinubu, on the other hand, filed a motion to stop the Atiku from gaining access to his academic records

Illinois, Chicago - The District Court of Northern Illinois District has reserved judgment in the case of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar against Chicago State University (CSU), seeking the academic records of President Bola Tinubu.

Recall that the court had initially ordered CSU to make Tinubu's academic records available to Atiku, and the President's legal team made an appeal seeking a reversal of the order.

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Can Atiku or Obi win in the Supreme Court? How US court will decide Tinubu's fate

Atiku, Tinubu, US court, Chicago Certificate
The election tribunal in Nigeria affirmed President Bola Tinubu as the winner of the 2023 presidential polls. Photo Credit: Atiku Abubakar/Bola Ahmed Tinubu
Source: Facebook

Meanwhile, the presiding judge, Justice Nancy Maldonado, has delayed ruling due to a series of emotional emails by interlopers, mounting pressure on the court to support Atiku.

As reported by PM News, a statement from Tinubu's legal team reads:

“Separately, the Court notes that Court staff has received extensive email communications from members of the public related to this case.
“The Court understands the significant public interest in this dispute, but the Court will not consider any third−party or ex parte submissions.
“Rather, the Court’s review will be limited to the parties’ briefing and the official record on the docket.”

Atikulates, Obidients accused of sending US judge emails

The statement alleged that supporters of Atiku and Labour Party (L.P.) presidential candidate Peter Obi were behind the frequent emails sent to the U.S. judge.

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CSU certificate saga: PDP slams Tinubu's lawyers, insists plea inconsistent with academic claims

Atiku’s lawyers brought an application under U.S.C. 1782 for the magistrate court’s assistance to obtain evidence from C.S.U through a Subpoena regarding Tinubu’s academic records.

Tinubu’s lawyers argued that Atiku should not be given access to the records.

Tinubu’s lawyers opposed the issuing of a subpoena to obtain his academic records primarily on three grounds:

One is that the documents are protected by FERPA (Federal Educational Rights Protection Act).

Atiku fault Tribunal’s verdict over non-recognition of legitimate expectation

Meanwhile, Atiku Abubakar and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have levelled fresh allegations against the presidential election petition court.

These allegations were contained in Atiku's appeal submitted before the Supreme Court for the tribunal's judgment to be dismissed.

Atiku accused the tribunal of not considering the "Doctrine of Legitimate Expectation" in its ruling.

Source: Legit.ng

Authors:
Segun Adeyemi avatar

Segun Adeyemi (Current Affairs and Politics Editor) Segun Adeyemi is a journalist with over 9 years of experience as an active field reporter, editor, and editorial manager. He has had stints with Daily Trust newspaper, Daily Nigerian, and News Digest. He currently works as an editor for Legit.ng's current affairs and politics desk. He holds a degree in Mass Communication (Adekunle Ajasin University). He is a certified digital reporter by Reuters, AFP and the co-convener of the annual campus journalism awards. Email: segun.adeyemi@corp.legit.ng.