Supreme Court takes decision on Atiku’s Appeal to sack Tinubu

The Supreme Court has reserved judgment in the petition filed by Atiku Abubakar, candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

To reserve judgment means to hold the matter in abeyance for a while until a date is fixed for the final verdict.

Atiku is praying the apex court set aside the judgment of the Presidential Election Petition Court (PEPC), which affirmed Tinubu of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, as the valid winner of the presidential election that held on February 25.

He filed 35 grounds of appeal through his legal team headed by Chief Chris Uche against Tinubu’s victory.

As an addendum to his appeal, Atiku went further to file a motion to bring in fresh evidence against Tinubu relating to his academic records that were released to him by a United States court.

A seven-member panel of the court, led by Justice John Okoro made the announcement after lawyers to parties adopted their briefs of argument and made final submissions.

The court also took arguments from lawyers to parties on the motion filed by the appellants to supply fresh evidence.

Appellants’ lawyer, Chris Uche (SAN) urged the court to grant the motion and allow their appeal, grant the prayers sought and disqualify Tinubu.

On their part, lawyers to the respondents – Abubakar Mahmoud, SAN (for the Independent National Electoral Commission), Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN (for Tinubu) and Chief Akin Olujinmi, SAN (for the All Progressives Congress) urged the court to dismiss both the motion and appeal for lacking in merit.

The court, which rose briefly, has now reconvened for the hearing of the appeal by the Allied Peoples Movement (APM).