Tinubu’s education and visa entered as evidence by tribunal

In breaking news from Abuja, the Presidential Election Petition Court has officially accepted crucial evidence in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s defense against the petition filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its presidential candidate, Abubakar Atiku. President Tinubu’s educational records from Chicago State University, including his admission letter, have been admitted as exhibits, confirming his attendance and graduation from the renowned American institution.

In a strong move to counter the allegations of criminality, President Tinubu, represented by his lead counsel Chief Wole Olanipekun, also presented his US Visa documents, demonstrating his unrestricted visits to the United States between 2011 and 2021. Additionally, all relevant documents from the Nigeria Immigration Service, which authorized these trips, were made available to the court.

Despite objections raised by the PDP and the former Vice President, the court upheld the admissibility of these critical pieces of evidence. Both the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the All Progressives Congress (APC), the first and third respondents respectively, offered no objections.

The court also acknowledged the acceptance of other exhibits, including an embassy letter from the United States of America, dated April 4, 2003. This letter was in response to a query from the Nigerian Police, dated February 3, 2003, which sought information regarding any criminal records of Tinubu in the USA. The embassy confirmed that there were no such records.

Furthermore, the court admitted the originating summons of a lawsuit filed by the attorneys general of Adamawa, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Delta, Edo, and Sokoto, disputing Tinubu’s educational qualifications for the upcoming 2023 presidential election. Additionally, various newspaper publications highlighting multiple lawsuits against Tinubu by different groups were also accepted as exhibits.

Justice Haruna Simon Tsammani, the presiding justice, has adjourned the next hearing of the petition until July 5, allowing for further examination of the evidence presented.

Edited by Damilola Adeleke