{
  "id": 14247883,
  "title": "Certificate suit: Court rules on Atiku’s bid to amend suit against Tinubu Nov 20",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/13/certificate-suit-court-rules-on-atikus-bid-to-amend-suit-against",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-13T17:12:06.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Punch Nigeria",
    "slug": "punch-nigeria",
    "url": "https://punchng.com/certificate-suit-court-rules-on-atikus-bid-to-amend-suit-against-tinubu-nov-20/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "On November 20, the Federal High Court in Abuja will decide a matter regarding former Vice President Atiku Abubakar's attempt to modify a lawsuit against President Bola Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress (APC). The suit seeks to disqualify Tinubu and the APC from the 2027 presidential election due to a forgery in the President's National Youth Service Corps discharge certificate. Justice Inyang Ekwo set the ruling date after hearing arguments from both sides. Atiku's counsel, Joseph Onu, requested the court to permit the amendment, stating that it was necessary to correct errors in the original summons and introduce additional evidence supporting the allegations against Tinubu and the APC. The plaintiffs filed the lawsuit on September 10, pointing out errors such as the incorrect reference to an INEC form (Form CF001 instead of Form EC9A). They also argued that the amendments would include specifics of the alleged fraud, a written deposition by Atiku, and clearer copies of exhibits. Tinubu's legal team, represented by Chief Wole Olanipekun SAN, opposed the application, arguing that the case issues had already been joined and the plaintiffs should not be allowed to shift the focus during the proceedings. Akin Olujimi SAN, representing the APC, also urged the court to reject the amendment. Dr Alex Izinyon, another senior advocate, similarly advised the judge to dismiss the application and proceed with the main lawsuit. The plaintiffs filed the original lawsuit on September 10, claiming the President's NYSC discharge certificate was forged and asking the court to direct INEC to remove Tinubu and the APC from the 2027 election roster. Their central claim is that the certificate lists Bola Adekunle instead of Bola Tinubu. Tinubu and the APC deny these allegations and requested the court to dismiss the suit. Tinubu's legal team asserted that the proposed changes went beyond correcting errors, introducing new reliefs, documents, and facts into the case. They also argued that the substantive suit was statute-barred, claiming the cause of action arose on July 11, while the suit was filed on August 14. INEC opposed the application, stating the amendments would introduce a new cause of action and attempt to remedy defects in the original lawsuit after the constitutional deadline for filing pre-election cases had passed.",
  "summary": "A Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed November 20 to rule on an application by Atiku Abubakar to amend his certificate forgery suit against President Tin Read More: https://punchng.com/certificate-suit-court-rules-on-atikus-bid-to-amend-suit-against-tinubu-nov-20/",
  "key_points": [
    "Federal High Court in Abuja to rule on November 20",
    "Atiku seeks to amend lawsuit against Tinubu and APC",
    "Tinubu's legal team opposes amendment, claims case issues joined"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Punch",
        "title": "Certificate suit: Court rules on Atiku’s bid to amend suit against Tinubu Nov 20",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/13/certificate-suit-court-rules-on-atikus-bid-to-amend-suit-against-14250270",
        "published": "2026-10-13T17:24:07.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Premium Times",
        "title": "Court dismisses Akwa Ibom government’s suit challenging EFCC powers",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/13/court-dismisses-akwa-ibom-governments-suit-challenging-efcc-powers",
        "published": "2026-10-13T18:54:41.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}