Politics
Abuja Lawyer Drags Tinubu To Court Over Alleged Forgery, Age Falsification
Mike Enahoro-Ebah, an Abuja-based legal practitioner, has dragged Bola Tinubu, the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), before the Chief Magistrate’s Court, Wuse in Abuja, over alleged certificate forgery and age falsification.
Mr Enahoro-Ebah sued Alhaji Tinubu, a former Lagos State governor, in three separate criminal complaints dated November 9, 2022, and filed on November 10, 2022.
The Tide source reports that the lawyer accused Alhaji Tinubu of lying on oath having falsely sworn to an affidavit in support of his personal particulars (Form EC-9) submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on June 17, 2022.
He also accused Alhaji Tinubu of presenting a forged Chicago State University Certificate to INEC with the intent that it may be acted upon as genuine.
According to him, Alhaji Tinubu thereby allegedly committed the offence of forgery contrary to Sections 362(a), 363 and 364 of the Penal Code Act, Cap. 532, Laws of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
Mr Enahoro-Ebah said he applied for the documents to back up his claims against Alhaji Tinubu through his Chicago-based colleague, whom he identified as Mathew Kowals. He explained that Mr Kowals issued an attorney subpoena on his behalf against the university in case number: 22-L-007289 on August 12, directing the school to mail him (Kowals) all documents and records pertaining to Mr Tinubu in their possession.
Copies of the Chicago State University Certificate, academic records, undergraduate admission application form, University of Cambridge General Certificate of Education, and copy of Southwest College Transcript (now City College of Chicago), the lawyer said, were later sent to him and already attached to the court documents as “exhibits”.
Mr Enahoro-Ebah added that the copy of the Chicago State University certificate released by the school “is radically different” from the copy attached to Tinubu’s sworn Form EC-9 submitted to INEC.
According to him, a direct comparison of both certificates reveals different dates of issue by the university (June 22, 1979, and June 27, 1979); different university logos on both certificates; different grammatical construction on the faces of the certificates, different signatures, among others.
He said, in support of the defendant’s undergraduate admission application form submitted to Chicago State University in 1977, was a transcript from Southwest College, Chicago, bearing the name, “Tinubu Bola A” which belongs to a female student, contrary to Form EC-9 submitted to INEC which indicated that Alhaji Tinubu is a man.
Alhaji Tinubu is the sole defendant in the cases marked: CR/121/2022, CR/122/2022 and CR/123/2022 respectively.
The lawyer further alleged that Alhaji Tinubu attended the university indicated in his undergraduate admission application form that he graduated from Government College, Lagos in 1970, while the defendant in his Form EC-9 submitted to INEC provided no information as to his attendance of the said Government College, Lagos, among other allegations.
He said it is in the best interest of Nigeria, justice and equity to issue criminal summons to ensure Alhaji Tinubu’s appearance in court to answer to the complaints.
The case which is before Chief Magistrate Emmanuel Iyanna, is yet to be scheduled for a hearing.
A spokesman for Alhaji Tinubu did not immediately return request for comments.
The APC presidential candidate has been battling to clean up his name since his alleged role in the $460,000 forfeiture judgement released last week by the United States Court.
Alhaji Tinubu, 70, who is jostling to succeed President Muhammadu Buhari next year, has been under scrutiny for his questionable wealth even aside from mental alertness and general healthiness for the country’s top political job.
Politics
Alleged Coup: Protests Rock N’Assembly As Detained Officers’ Children, Wives Demand Justice
Scores of children and wives of military officers detained over an alleged coup plot yesterday staged a peaceful protest at the National Assembly, demanding a speedy trial and the release of the accused officials.
The protesters who gathered at the entrance of the National Assembly complex, moved in a slow procession while clutching placards with inscriptions such as “Don’t Kill Our Daddies,” “Detention Without Trial is Injustice,” and “Six Months of Torture: Enough Is Enough.”
Amid tears and trembling voices, the children appealed for justice and access to their detained fathers, many of whom they said they had not seen for months.
The appeal was made during a press briefing in Abuja attended by no fewer than 20 wives and several children of the detained officers, including a two-month-old baby.
The families were accompanied by human rights lawyer, Deji Adeyanju and activist Omoyele Sowore.
At the briefing, the families lamented that the officers had been held for over 160 days without trial or contact with their relatives, describing the situation as a violation of their fundamental rights.
Speaking on behalf of the families, Memuna Bashiru said the prolonged detention had thrown their households into uncertainty and emotional distress, noting that while allegations had been widely publicised, families remained in the dark about the fate of their loved ones.
The arrest of the indicted officers was first announced on October 4, 2025, by the then Director of Defense Information, Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, who disclosed that 16 officers were taken into custody for alleged breaches of military regulations and acts of indiscipline.
However, an interim investigation later suggested the existence of a clandestine network of officers, allegedly coordinated by a senior Army officer, which had begun preliminary planning for a coup.
According to the report, the alleged plot involved surveillance of key national assets, including the Presidential Villa, Armed Forces Complex, Niger Barracks in Abuja, and major international airports, with October 25, 2025, cited as the planned date for the operation.
Those reportedly in custody include Brig Gen M. A. Sadiq, Col M. A. Maaji, Lt Col S. Bappah, Lt Col A. A. Hayatu, Lt Col P. Dangnap, Lt Col M. Almakura, Maj A. J. Ibrahim, Maj M. M. Jiddah, Maj M. A. Usman, Maj D. Yusuf, Capt I. Bello, Capt A. A. Yusuf, Lt S. S. Felix, Lt Cdr D. B. Abdullahi, Sqn Ldr S. B. Adamu and Maj I. Dauda.
The alleged plot, according to findings, targeted senior government officials, including President Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima.
In a statement issued yesterday, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Mr Felix Morka, said the exercise would take place in all wards and designated centres nationwide.
He called on existing members to update their records, while encouraging new entrants to join the party through the digital platform.
“As the electronic membership registration exercise resumes in all wards and designated locations nationwide, we urge existing members to validate their membership while new members are encouraged to register and join the progressive family,” Mr Morka said.
According to him, eligibility for registration is limited to individuals aged 18 and above who possess a valid National Identification Number (NIN).
The party said the initiative is part of efforts to modernise its operations by transitioning to a digital database that would enhance record accuracy and accessibility.
Mr Morka noted that the e-registration would “digitise the party’s membership register, ensure the integrity of records, and enhance efficient access to membership data for planning and management decisions.”
He added that the move is also aimed at promoting internal democracy within the party and strengthening its commitment to democratic innovation.
The APC had previously introduced electronic registration as part of broader reforms to streamline its membership system and improve organisational efficiency.