Phrank Shaibu Applauds U.S. Court's Ruling on Tinubu's Records

In a recent turn of events, the long-standing controversy surrounding the academic records of Nigerian politician and former Lagos State Governor, Bola Tinubu, has taken a new twist as a United States court has ordered the release of his academic records to former Nigerian Vice President and presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar. 

This development, seen by many as a significant legal victory for Atiku, has raised questions about the Nigerian judiciary's ability to address similar issues.

The order was issued by Justice Nancy Maldonado of the Northern District of Illinois, and it has ignited a fresh debate over the transparency and independence of the American judicial system. 

Phrank Shaibu, the Special Assistant on Public Communications to Atiku Abubakar, attributed Tinubu's ultimate defeat in the U.S. court to the independence and fairness of the American judiciary. 

He asserted that Tinubu had been evading justice since 1999 when human rights lawyer Gani Fawehinmi (SAN) first raised concerns about his academic qualifications.

Shaibu criticised the Nigerian judiciary for failing to deliver justice on the merits of the case against Tinubu and instead granting him victories based on technicalities. He claimed that Tinubu had secured over 20 dubious victories in Nigerian courts, highlighting the challenges faced by the country's justice system.

He expressed his disappointment with the Nigerian judiciary, which is often referred to as the last hope of the common man, for its perceived inability to address issues of national importance effectively. 

Shaibu's comments reflected a growing sentiment among some Nigerians who believe that the judiciary has not done enough to hold public officials accountable and ensure transparency in governance.

The order to release Tinubu's academic records in the United States has added a new layer to the ongoing debate about transparency, accountability, and the rule of law in Nigeria's political landscape. 

It remains to be seen how this development will impact Tinubu's political career and whether it will lead to a broader discussion about the role of the judiciary in addressing issues of public interest.

In response to the U.S. court's decision, Babatunde Ogala, Tinubu's lawyer and former National Legal Adviser of the All Progressives Congress (APC), downplayed the significance of the victory, signalling that the legal battle may continue.