Supreme Court defers ruling on Atiku’s lawsuit against Tinubu
By Matthew Atungwu
In the case filed by PDP presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar, the Supreme Court has deferred the ruling in an attempt to nullify President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s declaration as the winner of the 2023 presidential contest.
After hearing arguments from the parties involved, Justice John Inyang Okoro, who chaired the seven-member panel of Justices of the Court throughout Monday’s sessions, declared that the ultimate judgment would be reserved.
Parties to the case will be notified as soon as the date of judgment is set, according to Justice Okoro.
Meanwhile, Atiku Abubakar on Monday at the Supreme Court insisted that President Bola Tinubu must be disqualified from the 2023 presidential election.
Atiku maintained that Tinubu was not Constitutionally qualified to stand for the election at the time he did.
The former Vice President through his lead counsel, Chris Uche SAN, asked the apex court to invoke the provisions of the Constitution to annul Tinubu’s victory in the election.
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He predicated his request for Tinubu’s disqualification on alleged certificate forgery and lying on oath.
In the absence of outright disqualification, Atiku pleaded with Justice John Inyang Okoro-led panel to order a rerun between him and Tinubu.
However, Tinubu through his lead counsel, Wole Olanipekun SAN, asked the court to dismiss Atiku’s claims of certificate forgery and lying on oath.
The senior attorney maintained that Atiku’s claims are unfounded and have no probate value until they are established beyond a reasonable doubt, as required by law.
Abubakar Mahmoud, SAN, on behalf of the Independent National Electoral Commission, or INEC, also advocated for the dismissal of Atiku’s case due to its lack of substance.
Under the leadership of Chief Akin Olujinmi SAN, the All Progressives Congress, or APC, took up Olanipekun’s position and demanded that the petition be dismissed.
