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Forfeited $460,000 in US: Tinubu never convicted of drug, APC tells court

Published

4 years ago

April 12, 2023

President-elect, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu

Forfeited $460,000 in US: Tinubu never convicted of drug, APC tells court

The All Progressives Congress, APC, has opened up on circumstances that led its candidate and President-elect, Bola Tinubu, to forfeit the sum of $460,000 to the government of the United States of America, USA, in 1993.

The ruling party, in processes it filed to defend the outcome of the presidential election that was held on February 25, maintained that Tinubu, who was its candidate, merely surrendered funds in 10 bank accounts that were opened in either his name or that of Compass Finance and Investment Co.

It told the Presidential Election Petition Court, PEPC, sitting at the Court of Appeal in Abuja, that funds in the said accounts, which were domiciled in both First Heritage Bank and Citi Bank N. A, were subject to a “civil forfeiture proceeding” in Case No: 93C4483.

According to the APC, the purported decision of the United State District Court Northern District of Illinois, Eastern division in the said case, was not a fine but a decree of forfeiture of the amount of $460,000 to the United State pursuant to the settlement of claim by the parties to the case.

“The said decision is not against the 2nd Respondent (Tinubu) but against the funds in the various account opened in the name of Bola Tinubu with First Heritage Bank and City Bank N.A.

“The compromise terms that led to the forfeiture were preceded by express admission on record that the 2nd Respondent did not admit the commission of any drug, drug-related or illicit conduct of dishonesty or fraud that fits into any of the grounds of disqualification to contest for office of president of Nigeria at the 25th February, 2023 general election,” APC insisted.

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It listed the 10 account numbers that contained funds that Tinubu forfeited after the settlement of claim by parties involved in the case, as: 263226700, 39483134, 39483396, 4650279566, 00400220, 39936404, 39936383, 52050-89451952, 52050-89451952 and 52050-89451953.

Besides, the APC, through its team of lawyers led by Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, told the court that the Federal Government had as far back as 2003, through the American Consulate in Nigeria, inquired about Tinubu’s criminal record.

It said the outcome of the inquiry which FG made through the Inspector-General of Police, “yielded a clean bill of health that unequivocally and unreservedly cleared 2nd Respondent of any criminal record, interest or association in the United States of America”.

“The formal clearance report dated February 4, 2003, under the hand of Legal attaché to the United States Embassy, Nigeria in response to the inquiry by the Inspector General of Police is hereby pleaded and shall be relied upon for its full effect; particularly the portion in the second paragraph which states-

‘In relation to your letter, dated February 3, 2003, reference number SR.3000 /IGP SEC/ABJ/VOL. 24/287, regarding Governor Bola Ahmed Tinubu, a records check of the Federal Bureau of Investigation‘s (FBI) National Crime Information Center (NCIC) was conducted.

‘The results of the checks were negative for any criminal arrest records, wants, or warrants for Bola Ahmed Tinubu (DOB 29 March. 1952). For information of your department, NCIC is a centralized information center that maintains the records of every arrest and conviction within the United States and its territories.’

APC said it would apply for a subpoena to be issued again at the IGP to enable him to adduce and tender in evidence, the letter dated February 3, 2003, reference number SR.3000 /IGP SEC/ABJ/VOL. 24/287, which triggered the clearance letter of the Legal attaché of the US Embassy in Nigeria, as well as the response to same dated 4th February 2003.

It further argued that the said forfeiture Tinubu made to the US government, having lasted a period of 29 years, was no longer a valid ground to challenge his eligibility to contest the presidential election.

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“The Respondent states that, in any event, the impleaded decision of the United States District Court, Northern District of Illinois Eastern Division is not a decision by a competent court of law or tribunal in Nigeria; and same has been falsely, mischievously paraded by 2nd Respondent’s political adversaries like the petitioners, detractors and haters to scandalize, demonize and de-market him to the Nigerian electorate at the 25th February 2023 general election with a view to delegitimizing his well-earned victory at the polls, despite all legitimate and fact-checked denials and rebuttals as exemplified by the official report from the United States affirming his innocence and exonerating him from the touted drug connection and criminal conviction.

“The Respondent states further that in any event, the said decree of forfeiture was made by Judge John A Nordberg in the said Case No: 93C4483 on the 4th day of October 1993, a period of 29 years before the 25th day of February 2023 when the said presidential election was duly conducted by the 1st Respondent.

“The Respondent avers that the allegations referred to in the said paragraph have been subjecting to litigation and duly litigated upon by a court of competent jurisdiction in Suit No: FHC/L/CS/1146/1999.

“The Respondent further avers that having been litigated upon by a competent court of law, this Honorable Court is estopped from retrying the same issues that have been appealed against. The Respondent shall found and rely upon the judgment in Suit No: FHC/L/CS/1146/1999.

“Without prejudice to the above, the Respondent avers that the Nigeria Police Force investigated the 2nd Respondent regarding any record of criminal arrest and/or conviction. The investigation was extensive and far-reaching.

“Consequently, the American Consulate, Lagos Nigeria revealed that there was no record whatsoever of any criminal arrest, warrants and/or conviction regarding the 2nd Respondent. The Respondent shall find and rely on the letter issued by the Embassy of the United States of America, Nigeria dated 4th February 2003.

“Furthermore, the release from forfeiture of other monies in the account the subject of the proceedings in Case No: 93C4483; in excess of one million dollars and for the benefit of the named beneficiary K.O Tinubu though not the account holder, less forfeited sum of $460,000.00 (Four Hundred and Sixty Thousand United States Dollars) is a manifest affirmation that the case was not a criminal trial and the fund forfeited was not a fine imposed as a punishment for a criminal conviction of any person- let alone the 2nd Respondent.

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“The disqualification factors as stipulated by the Constitution only conceives of a conviction sentence or fine involving dishonesty or fraud or contravention of the Code of Conduct as found by a Court of the law of competent jurisdiction or Tribunal in Nigeria,” it added.

While urging the court to strike out petitions against Tinubu, the APC argued that Mr. Peter Obi of the Labour Party, who alleged that Tinubu was convicted for a drug-related case, lacked the requisite locus standi to challenge the outcome of the presidential election.

Insisting that Obi was not validly nominated by the LP, the APC, stressed that he was not a member of the party, at least 30 days before it conducted its presidential primary election.

It told the court that Obi was a member of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, till May 24 2022, adding that he was screened as a presidential aspirant of the party in April, 2022.

APC further averred that whereas Obi joined the LP on May 27, he was subsequently declared the winner of the presidential primary election the LP held on May 30, 2022.

“By section 77(3) of the Electoral Act, 2022, the 2nd Petitioner (LP) is mandated to have submitted its comprehensive register of members to the 1st Respondent 30 days before its presidential primary.

“That is to say the said register of members must have been submitted to the 1st Respondent on or before 30th April, 2022.

“The 1st Petitioner (Obi) as at 30th April, 2022 was still a member of the PDP and his name was not and could not have been in the register of members submitted by the 2nd Petitioner to 1st Respondent (INEC).

“The Petition herein is incompetent as the 1st Petitioner is not a member of the 2nd Petitioner since the 1st Petitioner’s name is not, and could have been listed in the list of the register made available by the 2nd Petitioner to the 1st Respondent, same having been made available before the 1st Petitioner joined the 2nd Petitioner”.

It, therefore, prayed the court to dismiss or strike out Obi’s petition “wholly or in part as may be appropriate”.

Forfeited $460,000 in US: Tinubu never convicted of drug, APC tells court

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Orji Kalu Admits Selling Heavy Weapons to International Buyers

Published

4 hours ago

November 10, 2026

Trends Admin

Senator representing Abia North, Orji Uzor Kalu

Orji Kalu Admits Selling Heavy Weapons to International Buyers

Senator representing Abia North, Orji Uzor Kalu, has disclosed that he previously operated an international arms business, selling heavy weapons to buyers in different countries, including anyone willing to pay for them.

The former Abia State governor made the revelation during an interview on Arise Television on Monday, November 9, 2026, while discussing his business history and relationships with former and current African leaders.

Asked directly whether he was an arms dealer, Kalu answered in the affirmative, explaining that dealing in weapons was once one of his major business activities outside Nigeria.

He, however, said he eventually abandoned the business after his parents intervened and insisted that he should stop.

“My major business used to be outside this country to deal in arms. I was an arms dealer,” he said.

According to Kalu, his decision to leave the business followed appeals from his mother and father.

“But my parents, my mother, my father came and said I must stop, and I stopped,” he added.

During the interview, the senator was asked whether he sold weapons to people who intended to use them to kill others.

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Kalu dismissed the suggestion, insisting that his primary motivation was to make money rather than concern himself with how buyers used the weapons.

“I was selling guns to make money, whether they blow up, it’s not my business,” he said.

He also denied that his arms business was exclusively linked to the African National Congress (ANC), which fought against apartheid in South Africa.

Rather, he said he was willing to sell to any buyer who had the financial capacity, regardless of the country involved.

“No, I was selling to anybody who wants to buy. If you have the money, you want to buy in D.R.C, I sell to you, you want to buy in Namibia, you want to buy…” he said.

When asked where he obtained the weapons, Kalu declined to provide details, describing the information as his private business.

The interviewer also questioned him about whether he supplied weapons to Libya during the leadership of its late ruler, Muammar Gaddafi.

Kalu responded that he sold to anybody who had the money to buy, adding that Gaddafi was a good man.

“May his soul rest in peace. He was a good man. If you have money to buy, when I was selling, I would sell to you,” he said.

The senator further sought to distinguish his former business from the proliferation of small arms in Nigeria, maintaining that he dealt in heavy weapons traded from one country to another.

“No, these are heavy arms that were sold country to country,” he explained.

His disclosure comes against the backdrop of persistent security challenges in Nigeria, including banditry, kidnapping, terrorism and the proliferation of illegal firearms.

The interview also touched on Kalu’s longstanding relationships with South African political leaders, which he traced to his friendship with the country’s late former president, Nelson Mandela.

He said Mandela introduced him to other South African leaders, including former President Thabo Mbeki and incumbent President Cyril Ramaphosa.

Kalu also discussed his relationship with former President Jacob Zuma, saying his connections with successive South African administrations developed through those political relationships.

Orji Kalu Admits Selling Heavy Weapons to International Buyers

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“Your Connections Won’t Save You,” Police Warn Traffic Offenders

Published

4 hours ago

November 10, 2026

Trends Admin

Commissioner of Police, FCT Command, CP Ahmed Muhammad Sanusi

“Your Connections Won’t Save You,” Police Warn Traffic Offenders

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has warned motorists that using their connections with senior police officers, government officials and other influential personalities will not save them from arrest and prosecution for traffic violations.

The Command specifically cautioned motorists against driving against traffic, popularly known as one-way, stressing that offenders would face the consequences of their actions regardless of their social status, position or connections.

The warning was contained in a statement issued on Monday, November 9, by the FCT Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh.

The police expressed concern over the increasing disregard for traffic regulations by motorists who deliberately drive against traffic, ignore road signs and bypass designated diversions in an attempt to avoid congestion.

According to the Command, the practice is particularly dangerous around road construction sites, diversion points and other locations where traffic movement has been temporarily or permanently restricted.

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It also warned motorists against contacting senior police officers, government officials or influential individuals to facilitate their release after being apprehended for traffic violations.

“No individual, regardless of status, position or connections, will be exempted from the consequences of violating traffic regulations,” the statement said.

Following the warning, the Commissioner of Police, FCT Command, CP Ahmed Muhammad Sanusi, directed the Command’s Motor Traffic Department (MOTOPOL) and all Divisional Traffic Officers to intensify enforcement operations in collaboration with the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and other relevant traffic management agencies.

Sanusi directed the officers to ensure the arrest and immediate prosecution of motorists caught driving against traffic or disobeying lawful traffic instructions.

However, the police commissioner also warned officers involved in the enforcement exercise against exploiting motorists through extortion.

He stressed that any officer found engaging in such misconduct would face disciplinary action in accordance with existing police rules and regulations.

The Command urged motorists to exercise patience, obey traffic signs and comply with instructions from authorised traffic officers.

It warned that the few minutes motorists might save through reckless driving were not worth the risk of losing lives or causing damage to property.

The police also appealed to residents to remain security-conscious and promptly report suspicious persons or activities to the nearest police station.

Residents can also contact the FCT Police Command through its emergency telephone numbers: 08032003913 and 08061581938.

“Your Connections Won’t Save You,” Police Warn Traffic Offenders

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Babcock Student Survives Suspected Suicide Attempt, Receives Treatment

Published

4 hours ago

November 10, 2026

Trends Admin

Babcock University

Babcock Student Survives Suspected Suicide Attempt, Receives Treatment

A 400-level student of Babcock University, Ogun State, has survived a suspected suicide attempt at his hostel and is currently receiving medical attention, following an intervention by his roommates.

The incident, which occurred on November 8, 2026, attracted widespread attention after videos circulated on social media showing the student near a hostel window as his roommates struggled to restrain him and pull him away from the ledge.

The university management confirmed that the student was alive and receiving treatment, dismissing social media reports claiming that he had died.

According to the institution, both the affected student and one of his roommates sustained injuries during the incident. The roommate was treated and subsequently discharged, while the 400-level student remains under medical care at the Babcock University Teaching Hospital.

The university commended the roommates for their prompt intervention, noting that their actions helped prevent what could have been a tragic outcome.

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In a statement signed by its Associate Vice-President for Communication, Media and Branding, Dr Johnson Akintayo, the institution said it had commenced an investigation to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident.

Although the incident has been widely described as a suspected suicide attempt, the university has not officially established the student’s motive or the factors that may have contributed to what happened.

Management also disclosed that the student’s parents had been contacted and were on campus to support him during his recovery.

Beyond medical treatment, the university said it would provide the student with appropriate support and guidance to aid his recovery and well-being.

Babcock urged members of the public and media organisations to avoid speculation and the circulation of unverified information, particularly claims about the student’s condition and the circumstances of the incident.

The institution also appealed for sensitivity in discussing the matter, stressing the need to respect the privacy of the student and his family.

The incident has renewed attention on student mental health, emotional well-being and the importance of providing accessible support systems within higher institutions.

The university reiterated its commitment to the safety and welfare of its students, adding that it would take appropriate steps based on the findings of its investigation.