Alleged perjury: CSO writes FHC CJ, questions transfer of suit against Tinubu

The Incorporated Trustees of Advocacy for Social Right Advancement and Development Initiative (ASRADI) has demanded an explanation from John Tsoho, chief judge of the federal high court, over the transfer of its suit against President-elect Bola Tinubu.

The civil society group — in an ex parte motion marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/2197/2022 — sought leave of the court to bring an application for an order of judicial review compelling the inspector-general of police to investigate Tinubu in respect of his educational qualifications submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in 1999.

ASRADI alleged that despite a letter to the IGP dated November 1, no investigation was carried out by the police.

The CSO said the IGP “willfully refused to investigate and/or prosecute Bola Ahmed Tinubu”.

Ruling on the ex parte motion on January 12, Mobolaji Olajuwon, a federal high court judge, granted the applicant leave “to apply for judicial review by way of mandamus compelling the respondent in this case, the IGP to investigate the filings made by Tinubu in respect of his educational qualification contained in the INEC form cf 001 sworn to by him on December 20, 1999″.

The matter was then adjourned to February 16 for further proceedings.

However, in the letter dated March 28 and addressed to the federal high court CJ, Adeolu Oyinlola, ASRADI’s executive director, said the case did not go on.

“The matter was initially slated for hearing on February 16, 2023, but for reasons which were not apparent to us at the time, it was not heard; while another hearing date was fixed for March 27,” the letter read.

“On getting to court on the said March 27, counsel was verbally informed that the matter had been transferred to another judge. We are in a quandary as to what could have actuated this curious move.”

The CSO asked the CJ to intervene and “remedy these anomalies”.