The United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois has issued an order directing Chicago State University to release President Bola Tinubu’s academic credentials.
This decision came as a result of an application filed by former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in the 2023 election, seeking access to President Tinubu’s records with the university.
Judge Nancy Maldonado issued a memorandum opinion and order, overruling President Tinubu’s objections to Abubakar’s application.
The court clarified that its ruling was specific to the release of documents and testimony from Chicago State University and did not express any opinion on the merits of Abubakar’s claims regarding President Tinubu’s graduation or the validity of the Nigerian election.
The court emphasized that it had reached its decision solely on the question of whether Abubakar was entitled to access the documents and testimony he sought from Chicago State University. As a result, the university has been directed to produce all relevant and non-privileged documents in response to Abubakar’s subpoena by 12:00 p.m. (noon) CDT on Monday, October 2, 2023.
“In reaching this conclusion, the Court emphasizes that it is expressing no view on the merits of Mr. Abubakar’s underlying claims regarding President Tinubu or his graduation from CSU, or on the validity of the Nigerian election. Nor is the Court taking any position on what any of the documents or testimony from CSU may or may not ultimately show.
“The Court simply finds, on the narrow question before it, that Mr. Abubakar is entitled to the production of documents and testimony that he seeks from CSU.
“Respondent CSU is directed to produce all relevant and non−privileged documents in response to Requests for Production Nos. 1 through 4 (as narrowed by Judge Gilbert and adopted by the District Court in its opinion) in Mr. Abubakar’s subpoena, by 12:00 p.m. (noon) CDT, on Monday, October 2, 2023.
Additionally, the court ordered that the Rule 30(b)(6) deposition of Chicago State University’s corporate designee must be completed by 5:00 p.m. CDT on Tuesday, October 3, 2023. This development represents a significant step in the legal proceedings related to President Tinubu’s academic credentials.
“The Rule 30(b)(6) deposition of CSU’s corporate designee must be completed by 5:00 p.m. CDT on Tuesday, October 3, 2023.”