By Our Correspondent
…Says A Request For A Stay Pending Appeal Will Be Denied
THE United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois has ruled in favour of the Peoples Democratic Party presidential candidate Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and ordered that the Chicago State University (CSU) should release President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s academic record to the former vice president by Monday, 2nd October 2023.
The court explained that any intrusion on President Tinubu’s privacy interests in his educational records is outweighed by Atiku’s interest in the sought-after discovery.
Judge Nancy Maldonado adopted Judge Gilbert’s recommended decision in full.
A copy of the ruling made available to Eighteen-Eleven Media last night by a source in the United States quotes Judge Nancy Maldonado maintaining that: “In reaching this conclusion, the court emphasizes that it is expressing no view on the merits of Mr Abubakar’s underlying claims regarding President Tinubu or his graduation from CSU, or on the validity of Nigerian election. Not is the court taking any position on what any of the documents or testimony from CSU may or may not ultimately show. 
“The court simply finds, on the narrow question before it, that Mr. Abubakar is entitled to the production of documents and testimony that he seeks from CSU.
“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 by the District Court in its opinion) in Mr. Abubakar’s subpoena, by noon CDT, on Monday, 2 October 2023.
“The Rule 30(b)\6) deposition of CŚU’s corporate designee must be completed by 5:00 p.m. CDT on Tuesday, 3 October 2023. Given the 5 October 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 favour of Atiku Abubakar. (ca, )”
Eighteen-Eleven Media