In a dramatic appeal, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has implored the Supreme Court to prioritize justice over technicalities. He seeks permission to introduce new evidence against President Bola Tinubu, accusing him of submitting forged documents to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) during the February 25 presidential election.
Atiku, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, emphasizes the severity of forgery, especially for high office aspirants. “Such constitutional breaches should not gain encouragement,” he insists, pressing that the court should address these alleged malpractices.
Tinubu objects to the introduction of fresh evidence, questioning the court’s jurisdiction and labeling the issue as pre-electoral. He suggests dismissing Atiku’s request outright, positioning it as an unnecessary legal complication.
In his response, Atiku highlights the court’s duty to focus on substantial justice over procedural technicalities. He cites precedents where the Supreme Court intervened for fairness, urging the same approach for this critical constitutional matter.
Supporting his stance, Atiku presents a detailed affidavit. He reasons that success in his application could streamline the case resolution, directly addressing whether Tinubu violated constitutional provisions. Atiku’s legal team underscores their diligent follow-up on evidence and the legal resistance they encountered.
Atiku’s affidavit dissects the legal maneuvers, revealing efforts to block evidence disclosure. It stresses that these legal tussles delayed crucial information, necessary for a transparent judicial review.
Countering Tinubu’s critique about inconsistent name usage, Atiku dismisses it as trivial. He underscores the pressing issue: the allegation of a forged certificate, which overshadows any concerns over name variations.
The detailed legal journey emphasizes relentless pursuit of truth and justice, navigating through motions, counter-affidavits, and subpoenas. It highlights the legal brick walls encountered, especially with the subpoena issuance and compliance.
The crux of the matter, Atiku asserts, revolves around the legitimacy of the certificate submitted to INEC, not just Tinubu’s educational journey. A questionable National Youth Service Corps certificate further complicates the case, intensifying the call for a thorough investigation.
