In a major victory for former Nigerian Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Judge Nancy Maldonado of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois has ruled that Chicago State University (CSU) must release all documents about Bola Tinubu, the current President of Nigeria. The order includes all relevant and non-privileged documents, such as Tinubu’s admission records, transcripts, and any other documents related to his education at CSU.
Abubakar had filed a lawsuit in the US court seeking to compel CSU to release Tinubu’s academic records. He argued that the records were necessary for his case in Nigeria, in which he is challenging Tinubu’s victory in the 2023 presidential election.
CSU initially resisted Abubakar’s request, arguing that it was bound by Nigerian law, which protects the privacy of student records. However, Judge Maldonado ruled that US law takes precedence in this case. She also found that Abubakar had a legitimate interest in obtaining Tinubu’s academic records, given the allegations of fraud and forgery that have been made against Tinubu.
The release of Tinubu’s academic records is a significant development in the ongoing legal battle over the 2023 Nigerian presidential election. If the records show that Tinubu falsified his academic credentials, it could have a major impact on his chances of remaining in office.
The ruling is also a victory for transparency and accountability in public life. It shows that even the most powerful people are not above the law, and that they can be held accountable for their actions.