Asserting that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar is engaging in an “improper fishing expedition about a foreign public official utilising the Illinois court’s subpoena power”, President Bola Tinubu has filed a motion to stop a subpoena before an American Court for his academic credentials.
The fresh petition by Atiku, the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on 11 July, 2023 seeks to obtain further details of President Tinubu’s academic records at the Chicago State University.
According to a report, the documents sought by Atiku, through his counsel, Angela M. Liu, include record of his admission and acceptance at the university, dates of attendance including degrees, awards and honours attained by Tinubu at the university, among others.
Atiku told the court that Tinubu subpoena was to test the truth and veracity of the President’s assertions.
He added that Tinubu is currently the President of Nigeria and is facing various court proceedings concerning his election and the authenticity of documents relating to his attendance at Chicago State University.
But Tinubu’s counsel, Victor P. Henderson in a reply to the petition on 19 July, asked the court to strike it out as no judge of the court heard and granted Atiku the subpoena.
According to him, the petition was presumptive invalid for providing only six days for compliance, which was less than 14 days provided under Rules 219 and 137 of the Illinois Supreme Court Rules.
