Following a lengthy legal battle, Chicago State University (CSU) has confirmed the existence of diploma certificates belonging to President Bola Tinubu in its archives.
After conducting a thorough search of its archives, CSU acknowledged the discovery of diplomas that match the certificate presented by Tinubu to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
In response to Judge Nancy Maldonado’s order to provide requested documents to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar, the school disclosed these findings.
The release by CSU’s counsel, Michael D. Hayes, states:
In Request No. 3, Atiku requested: “True and correct copies of any diplomas issued by CSU (other than to Mr. Tinubu) that contain the same font, seal, signatures, and wording (other than the name of the recipient and the specific degree awarded) as Contained in Exhibit C to the First Liu Declaration, which purports to be a CSU diploma issued to Mr. Tinubu on or about June 22, 1979.”
Hayes responded, stating: “The documents responsive to this request which CSU, after diligent search, has been able to locate are produced herewith, and Bates labeled CSU 0008 through CSU 0010.
“The students’ names on these diplomas have been redacted for privacy reasons.
“CSU is also producing, Bates labeled as CSU 0011 and CSU 0012, diplomas prepared for other CSU students (with their names redacted for privacy) which match the format of the Tinubu replacement diploma dated June 27, 1997.”
Regarding Atiku’s request for CSU to provide a copy of Tinubu’s 1979 certificate, the school maintained its stance that “it does not keep copies of students’ diplomas, let alone the one issued in 1979.”
“CSU does not ordinarily retain copies of student diplomas, and after a diligent search, cannot locate a copy of the original diploma prepared for Mr. Tinubu in 1979. Therefore, CSU has no documents responsive to this request,” the statement adds.
It is important to note that Atiku had sought Tinubu’s academic records in order to substantiate his claim that the President of Nigeria had lied about attending CSU.
