President Bola Tinubu has lost his appeal against the release of his academic records by Chicago State University as U.S Judge Nancy Maldonado has adopted all the ruling of Magistrate Judge Jeffrey Gilbert of the U.S District Court, Northern District of Illinois, ordering the immediate release of the documents.
Justice Gilbert had ordered the Chicago State University (CSU) to turn over all records relating to Mr Tinubu to Mr Abubakar within two days, saying the former vice-president has been able to sufficiently satisfy the purpose for seeking the records.
Dissatisfied with the ruling, Tinubu appealed the judgment to stop the release of his academic records.
However, Judge Maldonado in a ruling on Saturday, dismissed the appeal by Tinubu and gave CSU until 12noon on Monday to release the documents and the deposition of officials of CSU completed by 5pm CDT on Tuesday.
The Judge further warned Tinubu against further appeal as the Court would not entertain such.
“For the foregoing reasons, the Court overrules President Tinubu’s objections to Magistrate Judge Gilbert’s recommended ruling, and therefore adopts the ruling in full.
“Mr. Abubakar’s Application is therefore granted. In light of the pending Supreme Court of Nigeria deadline, represented to the Court as October 5, 2023, and based on CSU’s representations that it is ready to comply with the discovery requests and produce a witness, the Court sets an expedited schedule for completion of discovery.
“Respondent CSU is directed to produce all relevant and non-privileged documents in response to Requests for Production Nos. 1 through 4 (as narrowed by Judge Gilbert and adopted here) in Mr. Abubakar’s subpoena, by 12:00 p.m. (noon) CDT, on Monday, October 2, 2023.
“The Rule 30(b)(6) deposition of CSU’s corporate designee must be completed by 5:00 p.m. CDT on Tuesday, October 3, 2023. Given the October 5, 2023, filing deadline before the Supreme Court of Nigeria, the Court will not extend or modify these deadlines.
“Further, the Court notes that at the recent emergency hearing, the possibility of a stay pending an appeal to the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals was raised. The Court cautions President Tinubu that any request for a stay before this Court will be denied, as the Court finds any stay impracticable in light of the fast approaching Supreme Court of Nigeria deadlines.
“President Tinubu is, of course, free to request a stay directly from the Seventh Circuit should he file any appeal. Judgment is entered in favor of Atiku Abubakar.
