Tinubu Files Motion To Delay Release Of His Education Records From Chicago University

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu filed an emergency motion to delay the release of his academic records to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, Abubakar Atiku, following the United States Magistrate Court's order.

On Sept. 19, a U.S. magistrate court ordered the Chicago University to release President Tinubu's academic records to Atiku within 48 hours. However, the Nigerian President has reportedly applied a fresh application on Thursday to delay the report by Sept. 25.

The motion, titled "Emergency motion to delay dispositive ruling number 23CV5099" was filed by the counsel to the former Lagos State governor, Christopher Carmichael.

It was filed electronically with the Clerk of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois through the Case Management/Electronic Case File.

"Intervenor asks this court to enter an immediate order delaying the effect of the magistrate's order, at least until Monday, September 25, 2023, so the court may fully consider both the scope of the magistrate's authority to issue the order without review and the issue of whether the magistrate's order was a correct application of the law to the facts presented," the emergency motion reads, Punch reported.

Tinubu mentioned in the motion that his request was based on the fact that the "Applicant (Atiku) is challenging an election that occurred in Nigeria in February 2023. Applicant filed his action under 28 U.S.C. § 1782 on August 2, 2023, after dismissing a similar Illinois State court action that was originally filed July 11, 2023."

The coordinator of Tinubu Presidential Legal Team, Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Babatunde Ogala explained that the motion has been filed because the magistrate has no powers to give the final order but only a recommendation.

Senior Advocate Ogala shared that he is currently in the United States, looking into the matter. He noted that political parties in Nigeria are making issues out of nothing, adding "What did the magistrate do? I think we need to understand the American procedure."

"The magistrate is to make a recommendation to the district judge and not to give a final order. No, he cannot. He has no such powers. And that is what we are saying to the district judge. They are to make a recommendation, which must be within 48 hours," he explained.

He further noted that the university have already "confirmed that the man attended their school, got his letter of admission as well as first, second, third and fourth semester results," adding that now there should not be any issue.

"They have admitted it is their certificate; you (court) are now coming to say they should release the information. For what exactly? They brought his application for admission," he added. "We are not filing an appeal but asking for a review against Monday for the judge to pronounce."

Atiku, on the other hand, reacted to the motion filed and claimed that Tinubu is currently in the United States for the UN General Assembly and he is doing everything to stop the Chicago State University from releasing his records.