Justice Okoro: Supreme Court Cannot Admit PDP’s New Evidence In Atiku Vs. Tinubu Case

The Supreme Court has rejected the request made by Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, the Peoples Democratic Party’s candidate in the February 2023 presidential election, to introduce fresh evidence in his appeal against President Bola Tinubu’s victory…CONTINUE READING....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

In delivering the ruling on this matter, Justice John Okoro emphasized that the core issue at hand was whether the current composition of the court had the authority to grant such a request.

He clarified that none of the seven issues put forth by Atiku for consideration were related to or encompassed forgery, the subject of the new evidence he wished to introduce.

“The Constitution does not allow for that, and this court lacks the jurisdiction to approve the submission of fresh evidence that was not included in the proceedings before the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal (PEPC),” he stated.

The Supreme Court pointed out that Atiku had not taken steps to amend his previous submissions or request an extension of the time limit, as the 180-day window stipulated by the Constitution had already elapsed since September 17, 2023.

Atiku’s motion, filed on October 5, sought the Supreme Court’s permission to introduce additional evidence in the form of sworn depositions obtained from Chicago State University.

These depositions pertained to a certified discovery deposition made by Caleb Westberg on behalf of the university on October 3, 2023, which disavowed the certificate presented by Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the second respondent, to the Independent National Electoral Commission.

The 32-page deposition had been provided to the former Vice President as per the orders of Judge Nancy Maldonado of the District Court of Illinois, Eastern Division, Illinois, United States of America.