The Presidential Election Petitions Court has accepted certified copies of President Bola Tinubu’s academic and work records, which were submitted by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate, Atiku Abubakar. The documents in question include a B.Sc. certificate from Chicago State University, an NYSC Discharge Certificate, and a certificate of service from Mobil Nigeria Oil Plc.

During the court proceedings, the PDP presented the documents through their subpoenaed witness, Mike Enahoro-Ebah, a private legal practitioner. It was noted that these documents were allegedly obtained by Tinubu, although they bore the name ‘Bola Adekunle Tinubu’. The witness, led in evidence by Chris Uche, the lead Counsel to the PDP, also tendered the EC13 and EC9 nomination forms, as well as the letters written to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as attachments.

However, objections were raised by the Counsel to INEC, Abubakar Mahmoud, Tinubu, Emmanuel Ukala, and the APC’s counsel, Lateef Fagbemi, regarding the admissibility of these documents.

The witness specifically referenced the following documents during his testimony:

  1. Certified true copies of form EC9 (Tinubu’s nomination letter).
  2. Receipt of payment for certification.
  3. Witness application letter requesting the documents.
  4. INEC’s letter of response.
  5. Certificate from Chicago State University belonging to Tinubu.
  6. NYSC discharge certificate belonging to Tinubu, bearing the name Tinubu Bola Adekunle.
  7. Certificate of service from Mobil Oil Nigeria PLC.
  8. Party membership card.

Upon the lead counsel’s application to tender these documents, all the respondents objected to their admissibility.

Additionally, the witness submitted academic records from Chicago State University, along with a copy of the subpoena served on the university. The original academic records, degree certificate, original admission letter, and original transcript from the South West College to the university Tinubu attended were also tendered. Notably, the gender mentioned in these records referred to Tinubu as female. The witness also presented a notarized judgment from the USA, regarding the criminal forfeiture of Tinubu’s assets, and the cover note authorizing it. Furthermore, extracts of a Guinea passport and the certificate of compliance for Tinubu were provided as evidence.

The PDP further presented certified true copies of forms EC8A from various local government areas in several states, including Delta, Ebonyi, Edo, Enugu, Imo, and Kogi.

During cross-examination by Counsel to INEC, Abubakar Mahmoud, the witness clarified that he had not spent a significant amount of money while striving to reveal the truth to Nigerians. When asked if he was displeased with his candidate’s loss, the witness affirmed his disappointment. Subsequently, the court adjourned for further cross-examination.

Under questioning by Wole Olanikpekun, the counsel to President Tinubu, the witness, Mike Enahoro-Ebah, clarified that he was not the official custodian of the certificate from Chicago State University; it was issued to him. He also stated that he did not verify whether Tinubu had renounced his Guinean citizenship. Olanikpekun then presented a letter from the school, confirming that Tinubu graduated with honors, which was admitted by the court as evidence, despite objections from Chris Uche, the counsel to the PDP.

Finally, the PDP formally applied to close its case for the petitioners, as per paragraph 46 (5) of the Electoral Act, after calling 27 witnesses. The case was adjourned to July 3rd to allow the respondents to present their defense.