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Atiku’s evidence from Chicago irrelevant, Tinubu tells Supreme Court
President Bola Tinubu has asked the Supreme Court to discountenance his Chicago State University academic records attached by the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar, to his election petition appeal, saying it is alien to the judicial proceedings in the country.
Tinubu asserted that the CSU discovery was not part of the record or the judgment of the Presidential Election Petitions Tribunal, urging the apex court not to admit it.
The president further said the former vice-president had the habit of first filing a petition and afterwards hunting for evidence, noting that he had exhibited that while appealing the tribunal judgment.
The president in his response to Atiku’s appeal filed Saturday by his lawyers led by Wole Olanipekun, SAN, held that the claim that his credentials contained discrepancies was merely cooked up by the PDP standard bearer in the February presidential election.
He said, “Appellants’ submission under paragraph 6.45 of their brief further exposes the entire attitude of the appellants before the lower court, that is, the attitude of first filing a petition and then fishing for evidence during the pendency of the petition and even up to the point of appeal to this honourable court.
“Without prejudice to our objection to this issue, we submit that the arguments regarding a purported “Case No. 1:23-CV05009-Re: Application of Atiku for an Order Directing Discovery from Chicago State University…” is alien to these proceedings, does not arise from the record or the judgment of the lower court and cannot be countenanced by this honourable court and we urge the court to so hold.”
Stating that he was validly returned as the winner of the presidential poll by the Independent National Electoral Commission, the former Lagos State governor added that by statistics, he garnered one-quarter or 25 per cent of the total votes in 29 states of the federation.
Tinubu prayed the court to dismiss Atiku’s appeal and affirm the judgment of the Presidential Election Petition Court which upheld his election, having polled the highest number of votes.
He further stated Atiku resorted to cooking up allegations against him when he and the PDP failed to secure evidence to support their claim that he was not qualified to have contested the election.
Tinubu argued that Atiku brought up fresh issues, which included previous conviction/fine, forgery, and dual citizenship, among others after he had responded to his petition.
He said, “For the 3rd respondent, we beckon on the court towards the entirety of the 3rd respondent’s reply on the one hand (see pages 461-514 (vol.1) of the record), and the whole of Part B (save paragraph 35 thereof) of the petitioner’s reply to the 3rd respondent’s reply (see pages 1722 -1731 (vol.3) of the record) on the other hand.
“A dispassionate examination of these paragraphs will reveal that the appellants as petitioners were only out to spring surprises at the respondent as none of the highlighted paragraphs of their said replies was meant to reply to any new issue raised in the respondents’ reply.
‘“It was through these paragraphs that they introduced various fresh issues, including allegations of previous conviction/fine, forgery, and dual citizenship against the 2nd respondent amidst sundry unfounded claims.’’
Responding to the appellants’ claims on modes of election result transmission, the President cited paragraphs 38 (I); 50(xx), and 53 (xii) of the Electoral Act and submitted that the Act created an alternative between electronic transmission and transfer with the use of ‘’or’’.
He noted, “For instance, paragraph 38(i), which deals with movement from the polling unit states that ‘on completion of all the polling unit voting and results procedures, the Presiding Officer shall: (i) Electronically transmit or transfer the result of the Polling Unit direct to the collation system as prescribed by the Commission.’
“Paragraph 50(xx) provides that ‘the Registration Area/Ward Collation Officer shall: Electronically transmit or transfer the result directly to the next level of collation as prescribed by the Commission.
“ Paragraph 53(xii) provides that ‘the Local Government/Area Council Collation Officer for the Presidential Election shall Electronically transmit or transfer the result directly to the next level of collation, as prescribed by the Commission.”
Tinubu held that in any event, the absence of the electronically transmitted results or results from the IREV portal did not necessarily create a brick wall in the absence of an INEC hardcopy of collated results.
On the issue of 25 per cent in the Federal Capital Territory, he said the PDP candidate failed to prove that he must record 25 per cent of votes cast in the FCT to be declared winner, pointing out that FCT residents do not have special voting rights over others.
He said, ‘’While the appellants did not even discharge the burden placed on them to demonstrate their assertion that a candidate in a presidential election should win 25 per cent of the votes in the FCT before he can be declared winner, the respondent tendered Exhibit RA 11 titled, ‘Report of the Committee on the Location of the Federal Capital Territory,’ to demonstrate the fact that no such thing was ever contemplated. See also section 179(2)(b) of the Constitution.
‘’We submit that the provisions of the constitution cannot be considered in isolation as suggested by the appellants, but as a whole, in line with a plethora of judicial authorities.
“We urge the court to hold that any election where the electorate exercise their plebiscite, there is neither a ‘royal’ ballot nor ‘royal’ voter; and that residents of the FCT do not have any special voting right over residents of any other state of the federation in a manner similar to the concept of preferential shareholding in company law. We, therefore, urge the court to resolve this issue in favour of the respondent and against the appellant.”
Tinubu accused Atiku of hiding the statement of his witnesses to catch him off-guard at the tribunal.
He said, “The rather concerning observations are that the appellants, as petitioners, knew they would be fielding more witnesses, so at the pre-hearing session, they indicated the intention of calling more than 100 witnesses; and the fact that these witnesses were available to the petitioners all through the preparation of the petition and could in fact have had their witnesses statements frontloaded together with the petition.
‘’In fact, PW21 and PW26 both admitted the fact that they were recruited by the petitioners for the purpose of the assignment, while PWs 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 23, 24 and 25 were all invited in their personal capacities and served in person with the subpoenas (see pages 7345, 7347, 7354, 7358, 7362, 7367, 7372, 7419, 7424, 7427 (vol.10) of the record).
“The indisputable fact is that these witnesses were available to the petitioners as of the time of filing the petition In fact, PW19 confessed before the lower court that PW21 was a member of the 2nd petitioner’s situation room during the election and that the reports to be tendered by PW21 (Exhibits PAHI-PAH4) were compiled between 1st March and 26 March 2023, while the petition was filed on 21st March 2023 (See pages 7387 (vol.10) of the record).
“It was very obvious that the appellants, as petitioners before the lower court, deliberately chose to hoard the statements of these witnesses in order to cause a surprise on the respondents, thus turning an exercise as serious as litigation to a hide and seek bout.
“They then attempted to circumvent the mandatory provisions of section 285(5) of the Constitution and paragraph 4(5) of the First Schedule to the Electoral Act, by cloaking the witnesses in the garb of subpoenaed witnesses.”
Tinubu also submitted that the lower court rightly held when it said the petitioners failed to prove their allegations of non-compliance and corrupt practices as required by law.
The respondent faulted the allegations of voters’ suppression, adding that Atiku failed similarly to provide evidence.
‘’More so, it is only commonsensical that when allegations like suppression of votes and entering of wrong scores are made, the required evidence will be the actual scores that were suppressed and the end result of the suppression in the respective polling units. These were not made available before the lower court,’’ he insisted.
He, however, urged the court to affirm the decision of the lower court, while dismissing this appeal in its entirety, as the same is lacking in merit and bona.
He added that the run-off election being sought by Atiku had exposed his “pretentious attitude.”
“Here are the same set of appellants alleging non-qualification of the respondent via the backdoor, that is, through their reply, on the one hand, and the other hand, praying this honourable court to nullify the presidential election of 25th February 2023 and direct a second election between the 1st petitioner and the respondent,’’ the president noted.
He concluded that everything put together or summarised, Atiku’s appeal was a further demonstration of the abusive nature to which the appellants have subjected the court processes.
The Eastland Electricity Distribution Limited (EEDL) has launched a customer awareness campaign to educate electricity consumers on the approved procedures for obtaining new electricity connections across its franchise area.
The initiative is aimed at promoting transparency in the connection process, reducing delays, and protecting customers from extortion, illegal connections, and other unethical practices.
In a statement issued in Abakaliki on Monday, the Head of Communications, Patience Ezeagu, said every customer has the right to access electricity through a transparent and lawful process.
She explained that customers seeking new electricity connections are required to obtain and complete Form 74, attach all necessary documents, and submit their applications through approved channels. The process also includes site verification and certification by a licensed electrical contractor before approval.
Ezeagu further disclosed that prospective customers who wish to be connected immediately while awaiting meter availability may opt for an Upfront Payment arrangement. Under the arrangement, customers are required to submit a formal letter expressing their willingness to receive estimated billing and pay a non-refundable security deposit based on the approved Feeder Capped Unit applicable to their feeder.
According to her, meter installation under the Meter Asset Provider (MAP) Scheme will be completed within 10 working days after payment confirmation, in line with the approved regulatory timeline.
She warned customers against engaging in illegal electricity connections or any form of energy theft, stressing that connecting buildings to the EEDL network without following the approved process is a violation of regulations and poses serious safety risks.
“Unauthorised connections not only undermine the integrity of the electricity network but also endanger lives and property. Customers are therefore advised to follow due process and obtain electricity connections only through approved channels,” she said.
EEDL also advised customers not to make payments to individuals or unauthorised agents and to ensure they obtain official receipts for all payments.
For enquiries, complaints, or assistance on new electricity connections, customers can visit any EEDL office, send SMS or chat via 0707 722 7052, or engage the company through its official social media platforms.
The company also urged customers to report cases of extortion, demands for unofficial payments, illegal connections, or misconduct by staff or third parties through its whistleblower hotline, 07074595823.
Ezeagu reiterated that EEDL operates a zero-tolerance policy against unethical practices and assured customers that all reports would be treated confidentially.
She reaffirmed the company’s commitment to providing safe, transparent, and reliable electricity services to customers across its coverage area.
The airline disclosed on Wednesday that the aircraft became unserviceable after a baggage conveyor belt vehicle operated by the Nigerian Aviation Handling Company Plc (NAHCO) crashed into one of its engines shortly after it arrived from Kano.
According to Air Peace, the incident occurred on Tuesday night after Flight P47427 from Kano had landed safely and all passengers had disembarked.
The airline said the impact severely damaged the aircraft, leaving it unable to operate and disrupting its planned flight schedule.
“One of our Airbus A320 aircraft sustained significant damage on the ground today at the Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal 1, Lagos, after a Nigerian Aviation Handling Company baggage conveyor belt vehicle crashed into the aircraft’s engine shortly after the completion of Flight P47427 from Kano and the safe disembarkation of passengers.
“The ground handling equipment belonging to and operated by NAHCO tore into the aircraft and, as such, rendered the aircraft totally unserviceable,” the airline stated.
Air Peace explained that the affected aircraft had been scheduled to operate several flights across its network over the coming days, making the incident a major operational setback.
As a result, the airline said some scheduled flights would be delayed, while others could be cancelled as it works to minimise the disruption through fleet adjustments.
“This unfortunate incident has significantly impacted our operations, as the aircraft was rostered to operate multiple flights within our network over the coming days. Consequently, several scheduled services will experience delays, while some may regrettably be cancelled as we work to mitigate the disruption through fleet adjustments,” the statement added.
The airline apologised to passengers whose travel plans may be affected, assuring them that its operations and customer service teams are making efforts to provide alternative travel arrangements wherever possible.
“We sincerely apologise to our esteemed passengers whose travel plans may be affected by this unforeseen ground handling incident. Our operational and customer service teams are actively working to minimise the inconvenience by providing available alternatives and ensuring that affected passengers receive the necessary assistance,” Air Peace said.
It also reaffirmed its commitment to safety, noting that it is working with the ground handling company and relevant aviation authorities to determine the cause of the incident and prevent a recurrence.
“At Air Peace, the safety of our passengers, crew and equipment remains our highest priority. We are working closely with the relevant ground handling company and aviation authorities to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident and prevent a recurrence.
“We appreciate the patience, understanding and continued support of our valued customers as we diligently manage the operational challenges arising from this incident.”
The latest occurrence comes months after another Air Peace aircraft was damaged by NAHCO ground handling equipment in December 2025, raising fresh concerns over ground handling safety at Nigerian airports.
Efforts to obtain NAHCO’s reaction were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report. Calls and messages sent to the company’s spokesperson were not returned.
The Independent National Electoral Commission has said it will recognise only the candidates submitted by the Senator David Mark-led leadership of the African Democratic Congress, confirming that the faction has already nominated candidates for 471 elective positions ahead of the 2027 general election.
INEC National Commissioner, Mohammed Haruna, that the commission granted the Mark-led faction access to its nomination portal, following the Supreme Court judgment affirming its leadership, adding that the rival faction had no legal basis to submit candidates.
He said, “Yes, we gave the Mark-led faction the code based on the recent Supreme Court judgment that affirmed his leadership of the party and the faction has since submitted most of its candidates for a total of 471 – presidential (2), senatorial (109) and House of Representatives (360) constituencies.
“The court, however, did not say we should accept any submissions by the rival faction which, in any case, had lost its appeal for recognition.”
The ADC, however, called for the investigation and prosecution of its factional leader, Nafiu Gombe, following INEC’s clarification that claims that Gombe uploaded the party’s candidates for the 2027 general election through the commission’s nomination portal were false.
The Tuesday statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, followed INEC’s clarification that it did not grant Bala access codes to its restricted nomination portal and that only the Mark-led National Executive Committee was recognised by the electoral body.
Reacting to INEC’s clarification, the ADC welcomed the commission’s position and accused Bala of attempting to mislead Nigerians.
The party said the issue had gone beyond political disagreements and now bordered on an alleged attempt to deceive the public.
The statement read, “The African Democratic Congress (ADC) welcomes the prompt clarification by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), which unequivocally confirmed that the document circulated by Mr Nafiu Bala purporting to show that he had obtained the commission’s access code and uploaded candidates on behalf of the ADC for the 2027 general election was forged, and that the claim itself was entirely false.
“The issue before us is no longer simply about the continuous false statements that have been issued by Nafiu Bala Gombe at the behest of his sponsors. It is about the clear and unmistakable attempt to mislead the Nigerian public.”
The ADC argued that falsely claiming access to INEC’s restricted nomination portal was a serious allegation that should attract the attention of security agencies.
The opposition party consequently urged the electoral commission to ensure that everyone connected with the alleged false claim is investigated and prosecuted.
“To publicly claim that one has gained access to INEC’s restricted nomination platform and exercised powers reserved for duly recognised party officials is a grave matter that deserves the immediate attention of law enforcement agencies.
“As a responsible party, the ADC therefore calls on INEC to take all the necessary steps to ensure that Mr Nafiu Bala and anyone else involved in originating or promoting this falsehood are investigated and prosecuted in accordance with the law,” the party stated.
Atiku Abubakar’s Media Office accused INEC of granting Bala access to the commission’s nomination portal, an allegation the electoral body subsequently denied.
Responding to Monday’s Court of Appeal judgment on the ADC leadership dispute, Haruna said the commission would withhold its position until it obtained and studied the Certified True Copy of the judgment.
He said, “INEC cannot say anything until we see the judgment. We have to see the details of the judgment first. Hopefully, in the next two days, within 48 hours, the court should release the judgment. We will study it, and then the commission will take a position.”
The appellate court, in a split decision of two to one, delivered on Monday, affirmed the judgment of the Federal High Court in Abuja, which held that the dissolution of the party’s state executives by the Mark-led leadership violated the ADC constitution and consequently restrained INEC from recognising the congresses conducted by the caretaker committees.
The appellate court, in its verdict, upheld the judgment of Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court, Abuja, dismissing the appeal against the lower court, which the appellants had argued lacked merit.
Justice Abdulmalik had, in a judgment delivered on April 29, restrained INEC from giving recognition to the committee set up by the Mark-led leadership to conduct state congresses of the ADC.
The suit was filed by seven aggrieved state chairmen of the ADC, who had challenged their dissolution and the setting up of a state committee to conduct state congresses of the ADC, insisting that the action of the Mark-led leadership robbed them of the statutory powers to conduct congresses of the ADC.
In the judgment delivered on April 29, the trial court held that the Mark-led leadership was wrong to have dissolved the state’s leadership of the ADC and set up a caretaker committee for the conduct of the congresses.
According to the trial court, the ADC was wrong to have dissolved the state’s leadership when their tenure had not expired, and by so doing breached its own constitution.
Justice Abdulmalik held that the powers to conduct congresses belonged to the state executive, whose tenure was still running, adding that a mediation report showed that the tenure of the state executive was in 2023 extended by another four years.
Not satisfied with the judgment of the high court, the ADC, Mark, National Secretary, Rauf Aregbesola and Abdullahi approached the appellate court to challenge the decision of the trial court.
They claimed, among others, that the trial court erred when it assumed jurisdiction over a matter that fell within the internal affairs of the ADC.
They also claimed that while the respondents in the suit lacked merit to institute the legal action, the fact that they did not exhaust the internal mechanism of the ADC for resolving party issues robbed the court of necessary jurisdiction to entertain the suit.
However, the appellate court in its majority decision held that it found no reason to deviate from the judgment of the trial court.
However, the latest appellate decision relates specifically to the parties’ state congresses and not the nomination of candidates for elective offices.
The ADC maintained that Monday’s Court of Appeal judgment did not affect the validity of its primaries or the emergence of its candidates.
In a statement issued by Abdullahi, the ADC said the judgment concerned only the conduct of ward, local government and state congresses and had no bearing on the direct primaries through which its candidates emerged.
The Eastern Bar Forum (EBF), the umbrella body of legal practitioners from Nigeria’s old Eastern Region, has commended the administration of Governor Hope Uzodimma after inspecting major infrastructure projects across Imo State, describing the state’s transformation as “real, visible and verifiable.”
The endorsement followed an extensive tour of key government projects during the Forum’s 2026 Quarterly Meeting and Convention in Owerri, where members unanimously passed a vote of confidence in the governor’s leadership and development agenda.
The convention attracted senior advocates, judges, jurists and legal practitioners from Imo, Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, Rivers, Bayelsa, Cross River and Akwa Ibom states.
The inspection team, led by EBF Governor, Barr. D.O. Nosike, was received by the Imo State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Barr. Paul Obinatu. Accompanied by officials from the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure Development, the delegation visited several landmark projects executed by the Uzodimma administration.
Among the projects inspected were the Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu International Convention Centre, the Control Post Flyover, reconstructed roads within Owerri Municipality, the Orashi Power Distribution Company, the refurbished Concord Hotel and the Imo Digital City Hub.
Speaking after the tour, members of the Forum expressed satisfaction with the quality, scale and strategic importance of the projects, describing them as clear evidence of a government committed to transforming Imo into a hub for investment, commerce and innovation.
According to the Forum, the inspection disproved claims that the administration’s achievements existed only in media reports, noting that the infrastructure they observed reflected deliberate planning, effective execution and prudent governance.
The legal body praised Governor Uzodimma for consistently pursuing developmental projects capable of driving economic growth and improving residents’ quality of life.
It identified the Orashi Power Distribution Company as a major investment with the potential to enhance electricity supply and support industrial growth across the state.
The Forum also highlighted the Imo Digital City Hub as one of the administration’s flagship legacy projects, commending its efforts to equip young people with skills in software development, robotics, website design, computer engineering, digital entrepreneurship and other technology-related fields.
The delegation further applauded the administration for the construction and rehabilitation of major road networks, including the Owerri-Orlu Expressway, Owerri-Onitsha Road, Owerri-Okigwe Road, Owerri-Mbaise Road, Owerri-Port Harcourt Road, as well as several internal roads across the state.
Members observed that by investing in both physical infrastructure and human capital development, the Uzodimma administration was laying a solid foundation for sustainable economic growth.
Consequently, the Forum unanimously adopted a vote of confidence in Governor Uzodimma, applauding his leadership, developmental vision and commitment to rebuilding Imo State.
The Eastern Bar Forum explained that its periodic inspection of government projects is part of its institutional responsibility to independently assess governance and development efforts across the states of the old Eastern Region.
The convention concluded in Owerri on Sunday with discussions on legal practice, constitutional issues, justice sector reforms and national development, with delegates maintaining that their findings in Imo underscored the value of transparent governance backed by measurable results.
Former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, on Monday pleaded not guilty to a six-count charge bordering on alleged certificate forgery, false declaration and money laundering before the Federal High Court in Abuja.
Nnaji was arraigned by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik over allegations that he submitted forged academic credentials, including a University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) degree certificate and a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) discharge certificate during his ministerial screening in 2023.
The anti-graft agency also accused the former minister of fraudulently receiving about ₦29.5 million in salaries and emoluments, alongside money laundering-related offences.
After taking his plea, Nnaji’s counsel, Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Ogwu Onoja, applied for bail. The prosecution did not oppose the application, leaving the decision to the court.
Justice Abdulmalik subsequently granted Nnaji bail in the sum of ₦20 million with one surety in like sum.
The court ruled that the surety must be a federal civil servant not below Grade Level 15 with a verifiable residence of at least four years. The surety is also required to provide evidence of employment, including an appointment letter and salary slips for the last three months, subject to verification by the relevant authority.
The judge further directed Nnaji to surrender his international passport and all other travel documents pending the determination of the case.
The matter was adjourned until September 21, 2026, for the commencement of trial.
Nnaji’s prosecution follows his arrest by the ICPC on July 1 after the execution of a bench warrant issued by the Federal High Court. The commission alleged that he repeatedly failed to honour invitations during its investigation into the alleged forgery of his academic credentials.
The former minister resigned from office in October 2025 after the allegations became public. However, he has consistently maintained his innocence, insisting that his resignation was not an admission of guilt but a step taken to allow due process to take its course.
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