By Seyi Babalola
The Supreme Court has reserved ruling in a suit seeking to nullify the election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2023 presidential contest. The suit was filed by Alhaji Atiku Abubakar.
After hearing arguments from the parties involved, Justice John Inyang Okoro, who chaired the seven-member panel of Justices of the Court throughout Monday’s sessions, declared that the ultimate verdict would be reserved.
Parties to the case will be notified as soon as the date of judgment is set, according to Justice Okoro.
Meanwhile, Atiku Abubakar on Monday at the Supreme Court insisted that President Bola Tinubu must be disqualified from the 2023 presidential election.
Atiku maintained that Tinubu was not Constitutionally qualified to stand for the election at the time he did.
The former Vice President through his lead counsel, Chris Uche SAN, asked the apex court to invoke the provisions of the Constitution to annul Tinubu’s in the election.
He predicated his request for Tinubu’s disqualification on alleged certificate forgery and lying on oath.
In the absence of outright disqualification, Atiku pleaded with the Justice John Inyang Okoro-led panel to order a rerun between him and Tinubu.
However, Tinubu through his lead counsel, Wole Olanipekun SAN, asked the court to dismiss Atiku’s claims of certificate forgery and lying on oath.
The senior lawyer insisted that Atiku’s allegations are unsubstantiated and cannot enjoy any probate value until proven beyond reasonable doubt as required by law.
The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, represented by Abubakar Mahmoud SAN, also canvassed that Atiku’s petition be thrown out for want of merit.
The All Progressives Congress, APC, led by Chief Akin Olujinmi SAN, adopted the position of Olanipekun in calling for dismissal of the petition.
