In a recent development, Judge Nancy Maldonado of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois has temporarily halted the release of Nigerian President Bola Tinubu's academic records from Chicago State University (CSU). This decision came after Mr. Tinubu, through his legal representatives, expressed concerns about the disclosure's severe and potentially life-threatening implications.
The initial order to release the records was issued on September 6 by Judge Jeffrey Gilbert. However, Mr Tinubu's lawyers appealed to Judge Maldonado, emphasising the gravity of the situation. Acknowledging the potential severity, Judge Maldonado stated, "This needs to be handled with care," granting a stay until further deliberations.
The controversy centres around a subpoena application by Atiku Abubakar, aiming to obtain Mr. Tinubu's academic records from CSU. This move follows allegations of discrepancies in the Nigerian president's academic credentials. Mr Abubakar intends to use these records to challenge Mr Tinubu's eligibility for the presidency, citing a constitutional clause that disqualifies candidates who submit forged certificates to the electoral office INEC.
While CSU officials confirm Tinubu's attendance, they have expressed an inability to verify the authenticity of his certificate. Tinubu's defence argues that the records if released, would not hold ground before the Nigerian Supreme Court.
As the situation intensified, Mr. Abubakar's appeal to the Supreme Court coincided with Judge Gilbert's two-day deadline for CSU to disclose the records. With the clock ticking, Mr Tinubu's legal team approached Judge Maldonado, emphasising the potential harm to Tinubu's life if the records were made public.
The case continues to unfold, with global attention on the outcome and its implications for Nigerian politics.
The initial order to release the records was issued on September 6 by Judge Jeffrey Gilbert. However, Mr Tinubu's lawyers appealed to Judge Maldonado, emphasising the gravity of the situation. Acknowledging the potential severity, Judge Maldonado stated, "This needs to be handled with care," granting a stay until further deliberations.
The controversy centres around a subpoena application by Atiku Abubakar, aiming to obtain Mr. Tinubu's academic records from CSU. This move follows allegations of discrepancies in the Nigerian president's academic credentials. Mr Abubakar intends to use these records to challenge Mr Tinubu's eligibility for the presidency, citing a constitutional clause that disqualifies candidates who submit forged certificates to the electoral office INEC.
While CSU officials confirm Tinubu's attendance, they have expressed an inability to verify the authenticity of his certificate. Tinubu's defence argues that the records if released, would not hold ground before the Nigerian Supreme Court.
As the situation intensified, Mr. Abubakar's appeal to the Supreme Court coincided with Judge Gilbert's two-day deadline for CSU to disclose the records. With the clock ticking, Mr Tinubu's legal team approached Judge Maldonado, emphasising the potential harm to Tinubu's life if the records were made public.
The case continues to unfold, with global attention on the outcome and its implications for Nigerian politics.
