BREAKING: Chicago University replies Atiku on Tinubu’s academic records

Chidera Obimma

Chicago State University (CSU) has reacted to Atiku Abubakar’s request to release President Bola Tinubu’s academic records.

CSU, in a statement made available to The Cable, said it will release the academic records of President Tinubu if a United States court grants the order.

The American-based institution asked the court to direct “only limited and targeted discovery” of the information sought by Atiku and wondered why Tinubu’s academic records “could have any bearing on a 2023 election challenge in a foreign country”.

It argued that some requests in the application are “clearly inappropriate”, adding that the applicant is also seeking the employment details of one of his former employees.

CSU said in a response filed by its lawyer, Michael Hayes: “Finally, in the event the Court determines to allow any discovery to proceed here, the University urges the Court to direct only limited, targeted discovery on the University.

“As leave to issue any discovery has not yet been granted, and the Court’s views on what if any discovery is appropriate here under 28 U.S.C. §1782 are not yet known, it is premature for the University to raise objections to the scope of the documents and information sought in Abubakar’s two subpoenas.

“But without limiting further objections, which the University expressly reserves, the University notes that the scope and relevancy of certain of Abubakar’s requests are clearly inappropriate.

“For example, Abubakar’s document subpoena Request No. 5 seeks information on diplomas issued by the University for a 44-year period (1979 to the present), and Abubakar’s deposition subpoena Topic No. 7 seeks information on the employment status and reasons for the departure of a former employee in the University’s General Counsel’s Office.

“Following this Court’s ruling on the Application, should any discovery be permitted, the University will meet and confer promptly and in good faith with Abubakar’s counsel to attempt to address all the University’s concerns.”