In a surprising turn of events, the delivery of Certified True Copies (CTC) of the Presidential Election Petition Court (PEPC) judgment regarding the PDP presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has raised eyebrows due to an unexpected header. While no intention to incite controversy is evident, there are pressing questions that demand answers from the PEPC regarding this peculiar situation.

The central issue revolves around why copies of the judgment bear the header of the “Tinubu Presidential Legal Team.” This has sparked curiosity and concerns about whether special privileges were accorded to this legal team.

Questions are mounting about why the PEPC chose to give the Respondents, particularly the Tinubu Legal Team, first access to the CTC of the judgment before the Petitioners.

This situation is even more perplexing given that Atiku’s lead counsel had requested expedited receipt of the judgment in open court, with an assurance from Justice Haruna Tsammani.

Furthermore, the PEPC’s judgment itself had been criticized for its language, which was seen by some as denigrating the petition. Suspicion has grown about whether the “Tinubu Presidential Legal Team” played an unexpected role in the process.

It’s important to emphasize that the presence of the “Tinubu Presidential Legal Team” header on all 798 pages of the judgment is not a minor or metadata issue but a prominent header. The PEPC must provide a clear explanation for this unusual inclusion, especially when the only emblem expected on the document should be the stamp of the Court of Appeal of Nigeria.

Additionally, the PEPC needs to clarify its discretionary decision to give the Respondents custody of the judgment earlier in the day than the Petitioners. This delay, combined with the header issue, has raised concerns about the impartiality of the process.

There are reports that the CTC copies of the judgment given to the Respondents had already leaked to the public domain with the “TPLT” header, leading to further delays as the PEPC apparently attempted to remove this header before handing them over to Atiku’s legal team.

This controversy unfolds as the legal challenge moves to the Supreme Court, and Nigerians and the world are eagerly awaiting answers to these questions. Failure to provide satisfactory explanations could cast a shadow over the integrity of Nigeria’s judiciary.

In conclusion, it’s essential to recognize that this legal challenge is not solely about Atiku; it represents a broader effort to safeguard the country’s democracy. In a time when many state institutions have faced challenges, the judiciary, often considered the last hope of the common man, must maintain its credibility.

Signed: Phrank Shaibu

Special Assistant (Communications)

to Atiku Abubakar

Abuja

9th September, 2023