Supreme Court hears Atiku, Obi’s appeals against Tinubu’s election; reserves judgment

Monday, 23 October 2023 14:15

Supreme Court hears Atiku, Obi’s appeals against Tinubu’s election; reserves judgment

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The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar, has urged the Supreme Court to admit fresh documents against President Bola Tinubu.

Speaking at the court on Monday, his lead counsel, Chris Uche, described the matter as a grave and constitutional matter.

He urged the court to adopt the application and grant their request.

Presenting his argument, he said, “The issue involving Tinubu’s certificate is a weighty, grave, and constitutional one, which the Supreme Court should admit. I urge the court to admit the fresh evidence of President Tinubu’s academic records from CSU presented by Atiku.

The Supreme Court must take a look at Tinubu’s records and reach a decision devoid of technicality.

INEC lawyer, Abubakar Mahmoud, urged the Supreme Court to dismiss Atiku’s application seeking to present Tinubu’s academic records.

Tinubu’s lead counsel, Wole Olanipekun, argued that INEC should have been a party at the deposition proceedings in the US, noting that the CSU depositions are dormant until the deponent comes to court and testify.

He told the court that Atiku cannot seek fresh evidence at the Supreme Court.

In a related development, the Supreme Court reserved judgment on Peter Obi’s appeal seeking to invalidate Tinubu’s election.

A seven-member panel of the Supreme Court headed by John Okoro made the announcement after taking arguments from lawyers to the parties on Monday.

“This appeal is reserved for judgment until a date to be communicated to parties,” Okoro said.

During the hearing, Obi’s lead lawyer, Livy Uzoukwu, urged the court to allow his client’s appeal.

He prayed the court to set aside the judgement of the Presidential Election Petition Court in Abuja which affirmed Tinubu’s election on 6 September.

However, Tinubu’s lawyer, Wole Olanipekun, argued that Obi’s suit lacked merit.

Olanipekun urged the court to dismiss the appeal.

The All Progressive Congress (APC) through its lawyer, Akin Olujinmi, asked the court to uphold the judgement of the Presidential Election Petition Court affirming Tinubu’s election.

Inyang Okoro is the leader of the panel of seven justices, which include Helen Ogunwumiju, Ibrahim Saulawa, Adamu Jauro, Tijani Abubakar, Emmanuel Agim and Lawal Garba.

Punch/Vanguard/PT