Chicago University speaks on Tinubu’s certificate

• Atiku had demanded for Tinubu’s academic records in a bid to prove that the Nigerian president lied about attending CSU
• The results were made public by counsel to the school

The Chicago State University, CSU, has said it found diploma certificates belonging to President Bola Tinubu in its archives.

CSU said it found the diplomas matching the certificate Tinubu presented to the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, after a diligent search of its archives.

However, said the school does not in the ordinary course keep copies of student diplomas, and after diligent search cannot locate a copy of the original diploma it prepared for Mr. Tinubu in 1979, hence has no documents responsive.

The school disclosed this in response to Judge Nancy Maldonado’s order that it should supply the documents requested by the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar.

The results were made public by counsel to the school, Michael D. Hayes.

A release by Hayes reads below:

Atiku in his Request No. 3 wanted: “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”.

Responding, Hayes said: “The documents responsive to this request which CSU, after diligent search, has been able to locate are produced herewith and Bates labelled CSU 0008 through CSU 0010.

“The students’ names on these diplomas have been redacted for privacy reasons.

“CSU is also producing, Bates labelled 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.”

On Atiku’s request that the school should produce a copy of Tinubu’s certificate issued in 1979, the school maintained its position that “it does not keep copies of students’ diplomas, talk less of the one issued in 1979.”

“CSU does not in the ordinary course keep copies of student diplomas, and after diligent search cannot locate a copy of the original diploma it prepared for Mr. Tinubu in 1979, hence has no documents responsive to this request”,

Atiku had demanded for Tinubu’s academic records in a bid to prove that the Nigerian president lied about attending CSU.