In a landmark case, President Bola Tinubu successfully defended his presidential election victory against the challenge of Atiku Abubakar, the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Atiku had filed an appeal at the Supreme Court, seeking to present fresh evidence from the United States that allegedly showed that Tinubu did not have the required academic qualifications to run for president.
However, Tinubu’s lawyers argued that Atiku’s evidence was invalid, irrelevant, and inadmissible. They also contended that Atiku had exceeded the time limit for filing his petition and that he had failed to join the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as a party to the case.
The Supreme Court, after hearing arguments from both sides, reserved its judgment on the matter. A seven-member panel of the court, led by Justice John Okoro, said it would deliver its verdict at a later date.
Tinubu’s lawyers, led by Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN, accused Atiku and his party of going on a fishing expedition in the US. They said that the foreign depositions that Atiku wanted to use as evidence were not done in a court of law, but in private chambers. They also said that the depositions were not even admissible in US courts.
“They merely went on a fishing expedition in the US. The evidence they are seeking to tender is not at large. It cannot be compartmentalised anywhere. Even Alice in Wonderland knew where she was going. At least she was told where she was going,” Olanipekun said.
On the other hand, Atiku’s lawyer, Chris Uche, SAN, urged the court to grant his motion and allow his appeal. He said that the matter was weighty, grave, and constitutional. He said that Tinubu should be disqualified for presenting false information to INEC.
The case has attracted a lot of attention from the public and the media. Newsflash Nigeria had earlier reported that the Supreme Court had reserved its judgment on Atiku’s appeal. The outcome of the case could have significant implications for Nigeria’s democracy and political stability.