Tinubu’s Certificate is Genuine – Chicago University Confirms
Eric Ikhilae, Abuja October 5, 2023
The Chicago State University (CSU) has insisted that the diploma certificate submitted by President Bola Tinubu to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was valid.
CSU’s Registrar, Caleb Westberg, who stated this, also insisted that Tinubu grated from the institution on June 22, 1979.
According to Westberg, whatever discrepancies that may exist in either date, font, signature or seal in the earlier issued copy of the certificate and the certified copy issued later are immaterial as they could have occured owing to human errors.
The CSU Registrar stated these a seven-paragraph affidavit he swore to before the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois.
He said in the U.S., diplomas are considered merely ceremonial documents, even though some other countries may consider more.
Westberg added that, in the U.S., more reliance is placed on transcripts and not on diplomas.”
In the affidavit marked: 2023 L. 006854 expressed his readiness to testify in relation to the fact stated in the affidavit.
The court documents reads: “Caleb Westberg, first being duly sworn, states that if called to testify in this matter, I am over eighteen years of age and could competently testify as to the facts contained herein, and do affirm as follows:
Read Also: ‘CSU deposition authenticates Tinubu’s certificate’
“I am employed as the Registrar of Chicago State University and am authorized to submit this Affidavit on its behalf.
“Bola Ahmed Tinubu graduated and was awarded a degree from Chicago State University on June 22, 1979.
“Chicago State University provided a diploma to Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and subsequently provided a certified (or official) copy of that diploma.
“Both are valid and authentic diplomas of Chicago State University.
“There are certain differences between the diploma and the certified copy because all diplomas are signed by the current President/Board Chair.
“There are also differences in the font and seal on the diploma versus the certified copy because the University updated its font and seal after the diploma was issued.
“The difference in the date of award on the diploma versus the certified copy is likely the result of human error.
“The graduation date on the certified copy is typed in manually by a person and can be inaccurate.
“In the United States of America, institutions of higher education often consider the diploma to be a ceremonial document.
“The official records of Chicago State University reflect and verify that Bola Ahmed Tinubu graduated and was awarded a degree as stated above.”
The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has claimed, among others, that Tinubu submitted forged diploma certificate to INEC preparatory to the February 25 presidential election.
Atiku subsequently applied to a US court to compel the CSU to produce four categories of documents, including a copy of the certificate he claimed was forged, a request the court granted.
In his deposition made pursuant to to the September 30 order by Justice Justice Nancy Maldonado of the United States District Court of the Northern District of Illinois, Westberg maintained that the Bola Tinubu that attended and graduated from the CSU is the same, who is now the President of Nigeria.
Westberg’s testimonies are contained in a deposition he made in the office of Angela Liu, Dechert LLP on 35 West Wacker Drive, Suite 3400, Chicago, IL 60601.
Liu is lawyer to former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, who got an Illinois court to compel the CSU to release to him the academic records of President Tinubu.
The CSU registrar said the admission letter the CSU issued to Tinubu showed clearly that the Tinubu, who attended the school between 1977 and 1979, was a male.
The CSU was represented by Michael Hayes. Five other lawyers from Liu’s firm joined by zoom.
Lawyers Victor P. Henderson and Oluwole Afolabi appeared for Tinubu.
The registrar said: “There were materials in Mr. Tinubu’s records that show that he was a male. I see the application to CSU. Mr. Tinubu identified himself as a male. His letter of admission identified him as a male. It says: ‘Dear Mr. Tinubu’
In the deposition, he said: “We believe Bola Tinubu who attended CSU is the same person who is the president of Nigeria today.”
On why he believes the person who is the president of Nigeria is the same person who attended CSU, the Westberg said: “Tinubu is an unusual name in the US. He matched the Records in the file against the information provided by the student or on behalf of the student.
