The Chairman of the seven-member panel of the Nigerian Supreme Court, Justice John Okoro, Monday, October 23, at the first hearing of the suit filed to challenge President Bola Tinubu's certificate credibility from the Chicago State University stated that it received two conflicting letters regarding the academic records of President Bola Tinubu from the Chicago State University (CSU).

Justice John Okoro, stated this during the hearing of the application of the Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, filed against the victory of President Bola Tinubu. Justice Okoro said one of the letters is authenticating the President’s certificate and another discrediting it.

It will be recalled that Atiku had sought Tinubu’s academic record from Chicago State University so as to prove his allegation that the president submitted forged documents to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), which is against the constitution of the country and a criminal case.

However, based on the conflicting letters, the lead justice of the panel, therefore, said criminal matters have to be proven beyond reasonable doubt. But in this case, there are two conflicting letters from the CSU – one authenticating the president’s certificate and another discrediting it. "Which do we rely on?” he had asked.

However, the INEC lawyer, Abubakar Mahmoud, during the hearing has urged the Supreme Court to dismiss Atiku’s application seeking to present Tinubu’s academic records on the ground that it is immaterial to the case at hand. 

It is of note that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had declared President Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) winner of the February 25 presidential election, and urged unsatisfied parties to go to court to challenge its declaration.

However, Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Peter Obi of the Labour Party had approached the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal (PEPT) to appeal INEC's moulded declaration.

While Allied Peoples Movement (APM) went to court to challenge the nomination of Kashim Shettima, as running mate in the last presidential election.

However, the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal had struck out the appeals of Atiku, Peter Obi and that of the APM. Not satisfied the opposition had however headed for the apex court to seek redress, with Atiku asking to be allowed to file extra evidence against Tinubu on alleged certificate forgery.

Meanwhile, at the Monday's hearing, the Supreme Court had dismissed the appeal filed by the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) challenging the nomination of Kashim Shettima as the Vice Presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the last presidential election.

The Supreme Court however reserves judgment on the appeal filed by the Labour Party aned Its Presidential candidate, Peter Obi, challenging PEPT judgment.

The court also took arguments from lawyers to parties on the motion filed by Atiku and the PDP to supply fresh evidence against President Bola Tinubu's certificate forgery allegation. After taking all parties arguments, the Supreme Court therefore said it reserved its judgement, which will be subsequently be communicated to the respective parties at a later date.

For those following the important judicial process as it unfolds from the unset, the would be verdict of the Apex court on the case is clear. It will be difficult for the Supreme Court to upturn Tinubu's victory, because it had never happened before in Nigeria.

In a country where every system is suspected to be engrossed in bribery and corruption, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will no stone unturned and ready to give whatever it takes to remain in power.