In a recent development, the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois has mandated Chicago State University (CSU) to release the academic credentials of President Bola Tinubu. These records, requested by former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, have come under scrutiny due to allegations of discrepancies.
President Tinubu’s academic records, obtained from CSU, indicate that he graduated in 1979 with a bachelor’s degree in business administration, accounting, and management. However, doubts regarding the authenticity of his certificate prompted Atiku Abubakar, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in the 2023 election, to take legal action.
On September 19, 2023, U.S. Magistrate Judge Jeffrey Gilbert granted Atiku’s request and ordered CSU to release Tinubu’s academic records within 24 hours. In response, President Tinubu filed an appeal against the order.
Furthermore, Atiku Abubakar called on the U.S. District Court to overrule Tinubu’s objection, emphasizing the potential significance of the documents in his challenge to the presidential election results.
Chicago State University has conveyed its willingness to release the president’s records if a U.S. court grants the necessary order.
In a Memorandum Opinion and Order issued by Judge Nancy Maldonado, the court rejected Tinubu’s objections to Atiku’s application for the release of the academic records. The court stated, “The Court overrules President Tinubu’s objections and adopts Judge Gilbert’s recommended decision in full.
The Court therefore grants Mr. Abubakar’s application under 28 U.S.C 1782. CSU is directed to respond to Mr. Abubakar’s subpoena in the time and manner provided for below.”
The court emphasised that it would not take a position on the merits of Atiku’s claims regarding President Tinubu’s graduation from CSU or the validity of the Nigerian election. It stressed that these matters should be resolved by Nigerian courts under Nigerian law, and any evidence from CSU would be subject to their jurisdiction.
This ongoing legal battle continues to draw attention as the release of President Tinubu’s academic records is eagerly anticipated, with potential implications for both the domestic and international arenas.
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