The Supreme Court on Thursday rejected the People Democratic Party presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar’s fresh evidence against President Bola Tinubu.
Recall that Mr Atiku had secured the release of the original certificate of Mr Tinubu from the Chicago State University, CSU, to prove his allegations of forgery against the president.
But ruling on the motion, Justice Inyang Okoro, said the apex court lacked jurisdiction to admit fresh evidence in the appeal of the judgement of the tribunal.
According to Mr Okoro, out of the seven issues distilled by Mr Atiku for determination, none related or covered forgery, which the appellant is seeking to bring in.
“The Constitution does not permit that, and this court has no jurisdiction to grant the filing of fresh evidence that was not pleaded at the PEPC”.
The Supreme Court noted that Mr Atiku did not even deem it fit to file for an amendment of his pleadings and for extension of time, since the 180 days allowed by the Constitution had elapsed since September 17, 2023.
Mr Atiku, had in the motion dated Oct. 5, pleaded the apex court to grant him leave to bring in additional evidence by way of depositions on oath from the Chicago State University for use in his appeal to wit: the certified discovery deposition made by Caleb Westberg on behalf of Chicago State University on October 3, 2023, disclaiming the certificate presented by the 2nd respondent, Bola Ahmed Tinubu to the Independent National Electoral Commission.
The 32-page deposition was released to the former Vice President on the orders of Judge Nancy Maldonado of the District Court of Illinois, Eastern Division, Illinois, United States of America.
NAN
