The Supreme Court, on Monday, reserved its judgment in the joint petition by the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, challenging the declaration of President Bola Tinubu as the winner of the February 25 presidential election.
The seven-member panel of Justices of the Supreme Court led by Justice Inyang Okoro, reserved the date for judgement in the appeal after the parties adopted all their written addresses.
When the matter came up on Monday, lead lawyer to Atiku, Chief Chris Uche (SAN), told the court of his client’s interlocutory application, seeking the leave of the court to present fresh evidence in the appeal.
The fresh evidence Atiku sought to tender is the academic records of Tinubu, which were handed over to him by Chicago State University (CSU) on October 2, 2023.
The 32-page document was released to Atiku on the orders of Judge Nancy Maldonado of the District Court of Illinois, Eastern Division, Illinois, United States of America.
It is instructive to note that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), President Tinubu, and the All Progressives Congress (APC), the 1st to 3rd respondents, had in their various counter-affidavits, urged the apex court to dismiss the application for being unmeritorious.
The lead lawyer to President Tinubu, Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN), adopted the motion on notice filed on October 7, supported by a seven-paragraph affidavit, seeking the striking out of some paragraphs in the appeal filed by Atiku and PDP.
With the adoption of all the written addresses by the parties, the apex court later reserved judgement in the appeal.
Details shortly.
