The Supreme Court on Thursday rejected the Peoples Democratic Party presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar’s motion to file fresh evidence in his case against President Bola Tinubu.
However, the apex court dashed the former vice president’s hope by rejecting his motion to file Tinubu’s Chicago State University document as fresh evidence.
The presiding justice of the panel, John Okoro, said the application of the applicant was refused and rejected.
Atiku had sought the leave of the apex court to submit Tinubu’s credentials obtained from the Chicago State University to prove the president forged the documents he submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission.
But Okoro, who read the lead judgment on Thursday, said the application was filed after the 180 days prescribed by the law lapsed.
He said the court cannot activate section 22 of the Supreme Court Act to admit fresh evidence.
The leave cannot be granted. We do not have the vires to grant it. There is no paragraph in the petition that indicates forgery. It would float on the appeal if it should be admitted.
“They (petitioners) were tardy and not diligent enough. This does not fit into the determination of this appeal. It hereby refused and dismissed,” Okoro said.
Details later…