In a recent development, a court hearing concerning the alleged degree forgery and dual citizenship of Bola Ahmed Tinubu, president-elect and member of the All Progressive Congress (APC), has taken an intriguing turn. The hearing, which commenced on Friday, June 23rd, witnessed the closure of the case by the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) after presenting an array of 27 witnesses and numerous documents from 22 states across the federation.
The court session reconvened at 3:20 pm, following a request by the APC counsel for more time to prepare for the examination of witnesses due to the gravity of the allegations levelled against Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the APC as a whole.
The cross-examination of the PDP’s witness by the legal team representing the APC and Bola Ahmed Tinubu lasted for approximately one hour and twenty minutes. Sensing the need to counter the testimony presented by the PDP witness, the APC legal team, consisting of several Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs), requested an additional two hours to prepare for their cross-examination. Despite investing considerable time in researching the matter, they were unable to present substantial questions or evidence to challenge the documents put forth by the witness.
Consequently, the legal counsel representing the PDP, led by Chris Uche SAN, officially applied to close the case initiated by the petitioners, signifying the conclusion of their presentation of evidence and witnesses.
The court has subsequently adjourned the case until July 3rd, 2023 when the judgement on the matter will be reserved. This adjournment allows the court ample time to review the testimonies, exhibits, and arguments presented by both parties involved.
As the case unfolds, all eyes are on the judiciary to deliver a fair and impartial judgement based on the merits of the evidence presented. The allegations of degree forgery and dual citizenship carry significant implications, as they pertain to the credibility and eligibility of a prominent political figure. The outcome of this case will undoubtedly have far-reaching consequences for the individual involved and the political landscape at large.
