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Exposed: Atiku’s $1.2m-a-Year Adviser Once Jailed in US

Published

1 month ago

September 3, 2026

We were offered $3m to drop Tinubu records campaign — US firm

Karl-Marx Edward Okeke-Von Batten III

Exposed: Atiku’s $1.2m-a-Year Adviser Once Jailed in US

—Court records reveal 180-day sentence for 2003 domestic violence case as policy adviser registers under FARA for former VP

Fresh court records have linked Nigerian-born American policy adviser Karl-Marx Edward Okeke-Von Batten III to a 2003 domestic violence conviction in Washington, D.C., even as he registers as a policy adviser to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar under a $1.2 million annual agreement. Documents obtained by The Gazelle News detail a two-decade legal trail involving Okeke-Von Batten, who now operates through the lobbying firm von Batten-Montague-York, L.C., with a principal business address at 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Suite 700, Washington, D.C. The records reviewed include his 2003 assault conviction and jail term, his 2004 U.S. naturalisation, a 2006 name-change petition, a 2014 divorce proceeding in Texas, and his 2026 Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) filing on behalf of the former vice president.

According to court documents, Okeke-Von Batten—then identified as Karl M.E. Okeke—was involved in a domestic violence case with Cynthia D. Murphy following the start of their romantic relationship in April 2003. On July 4, 2003, Murphy attended a party at Okeke’s apartment. An argument later broke out. The court record states that Okeke burst through a bathroom door, ordered Murphy to leave, and inside the bedroom allegedly dragged her by her legs and arms, hit her repeatedly in the face, kicked her legs and buttocks, and pushed her against a wall. A police officer who observed the confrontation determined that Murphy appeared suicidal and transported her to a psychiatric emergency room and later to George Washington University Hospital. On July 7, 2003, Murphy filed a petition for a Civil Protection Order (CPO) against Okeke, resulting in a Temporary Protection Order. Okeke filed a cross-petition against her on July 15.

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Okeke was convicted of assault on December 10, 2003, and sentenced to 180 days in jail. On January 30, 2004, the trial court entered mutual CPOs against both parties and found Murphy in criminal contempt for violating the temporary order in October 2003. She received a 30-day suspended sentence. The trial court had based the CPO against Murphy on its finding that her initial refusal to leave Okeke’s apartment amounted to unlawful entry. In explaining the decision, the trial judge criticised Murphy’s conduct, stating: “There is no doubt in my mind that if [Ms.] Murphy had behaved as a mature, rational, sober, intelligent adult, that we would not be here today.” The judge also said he believed Murphy had brought upon herself whatever happened in the apartment, while expressing sympathy over the harm she suffered.

Murphy appealed the decision to the District of Columbia Court of Appeals in case No. 04-FM-0579. The appeal was filed on May 24, 2004, before Associate Judge Blackburne-Rigsby. The matter was ultimately reversed and remanded, with the mandate issued on July 25, 2008. The Appellate Court held that unlawful entry could constitute an “offence upon a person” under the District of Columbia’s Intrafamily Offence Act because the law was intended to protect public safety as well as property. However, it ruled that the trial judge had improperly applied the law in entering the CPO against Murphy. The Appellate Court therefore reversed the order and directed the trial court to vacate it. The court upheld Murphy’s criminal contempt conviction for violating the Temporary Protection Order and remanded her request for counsel fees for reconsideration.

On March 16, 2006, Okeke filed a petition at the District of Columbia Superior Court to change his name from Karl-Marx Edward Okeke III to Karl-Marx Edward Okeke-Von Batten III. An order of publication was issued the following day, requiring publication once a week for three weeks. The case was closed on December 6, 2006, after being dismissed for want of prosecution. His certificate of naturalisation identifies him as Karl Marx Edward Okeke III, born on October 20, 1976, with Nigeria listed as his former nationality. The certificate records his naturalisation on March 14, 2004, at the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.

A decade later, on April 7, 2014, Karl-Marx Okeke filed for divorce against Cynthia Okeke in Harris County, Texas. The case, Cause No. 201419183, was heard by the 310th District Court, presided over by Judge Sonya L. Heath. A substituted-service order was signed on August 26, 2014, before the matter proceeded to a non-jury trial on September 24. A default judgment was signed on September 29, 2014, with the docket indicating that each party was to bear their own costs. The case is listed as finally disposed, with no appeals, transfers, post-trial writs, notices or cost statements recorded.

The FARA registration, No. 7130, lists Atiku Abubakar as the foreign principal and states that Okeke-Von Batten is to receive $1.2 million annually. It was signed by “Kare Von Batten” on April 1, 2026, and received by the National Security Division’s FARA Registration Unit the same day. The filing marked political activity as “No” and referred to an appendix for details of the services to be provided to Atiku. It also disclosed two $5,000 political contributions made by Okeke-Von Batten to the DC GOP on March 26, 2026.

The documents establish a legal record spanning more than two decades, covering Okeke-Von Batten’s 2003 domestic violence proceedings, 2004 naturalisation, 2006 name-change petition, 2014 divorce, and 2026 FARA registration as a representative of Atiku Abubakar. However, the documents reviewed do not provide details of the specific services covered by the $1.2 million annual agreement beyond referring to an appendix. They also do not establish any connection between the earlier court proceedings and his 2026 FARA registration. When contacted, neither Atiku Abubakar’s media office nor Okeke-Von Batten had responded to inquiries at the time of filing this report.

Exposed: Atiku’s $1.2m-a-Year Adviser Once Jailed in US

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Court Orders NDLEA to Produce Enugu Airport Duty List in Abba Kyari Cocaine Trial

Published

9 hours ago

October 5, 2026

Trends Admin

Suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police Abba Kyari

Court Orders NDLEA to Produce Enugu Airport Duty List in Abba Kyari Cocaine Trial

The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) to produce the duty roster of personnel deployed to Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, on January 19, 2022—the day a cocaine consignment central to the Abba Kyari drug trial was intercepted. The ruling marks a significant development in a case that has drawn national attention and raised questions about airport security and inter-agency coordination in Nigeria’s fight against drug trafficking.

Justice Emeka Nwite issued the order on Monday during the continuation of the trial of suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police Abba Kyari and four other suspended officers of the Police Intelligence Response Team (IRT). The defendants are facing charges of alleged tampering with 21.35kg of cocaine and are standing trial on counts of conspiracy and obstruction in the illegal dealing and importation of the substance. They have all pleaded not guilty.

Julius Mba, counsel to Kyari and Inspector Simon Agirgba, told the court that the defence had filed a subpoena duces tecum—a legal order requiring a person or organisation to produce specific documents or evidence. The subpoena directs the NDLEA boss to present certified true copies of the duty roster for personnel deployed to the Enugu airport on the date in question. According to Mba, the document is essential to help the defence establish its case and demonstrate how the cocaine consignment allegedly passed through airport security.

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The court session also addressed the absence of the defence’s second witness, John Nwonke, who was expected to continue his testimony. Nwonke, who had been subpoenaed to appear, was not in court. His lawyers presented a letter dated October 2 stating that he was ill and unable to attend. The development prompted a sharp exchange between the defence and prosecution.

NDLEA counsel Joseph Sunday strongly opposed the adjournment request, urging the court to foreclose Nwonke’s evidence. He argued that the defence had failed to comply with an earlier order directing the witness to appear on Monday. Sunday also questioned the medical letter, noting that it did not disclose the nature of the illness or the hospital where Nwonke was receiving treatment. He told the court the prosecution was “not aware of any subpoena,” adding: “We don’t conduct trial by ambush.”

In his ruling, Justice Nwite declined to foreclose the witness’s evidence immediately. While he observed that Nwonke’s letter was not convincing enough to justify the adjournment, he adjourned the case until October 7, 2026, in the interest of justice. The judge warned that failure of the witness to appear on that date would lead to the foreclosure of his testimony. He also directed counsel to the first to fifth defendants to submit the names of witnesses they intend to call before the next hearing.

The trial had resumed after an indefinite adjournment in May due to Justice Nwite’s shortlisting for elevation to the Court of Appeal. The defence has been calling witnesses in an effort to establish that NDLEA operatives facilitated the passage of convicted drug traffickers through airport security. In a video played in court in March, convicts Chibunna Umeibe and Emeka Ezenwanne alleged that their photographs were sent ahead to NDLEA officers at the airport to ensure they were cleared without proper screening. The testimony forms part of the defence’s broader argument that the defendants were not the architects of the alleged obstruction.

Kyari and his co-defendants—Sunday Ubua, Bawa James, Simon Agirgba, and John Nuhu—remain at the centre of one of the most closely watched corruption and drug trafficking trials in Nigeria’s recent history. The case has sparked widespread debate about accountability within Nigeria’s law enforcement agencies and the effectiveness of inter-agency cooperation in combating drug crime.

The case was adjourned to October 7, 2026, for further defence proceedings.

Court Orders NDLEA to Produce Enugu Airport Duty List in Abba Kyari Cocaine Trial

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No Survivors Found in Ondo NAF Plane Crash — Ondo Governor

Published

9 hours ago

October 5, 2026

Trends Admin

Ondo State Governor, Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa

No Survivors Found in Ondo NAF Plane Crash — Ondo Governor

The Nigerian Air Force plane crash in Ondo State has ended in tragedy, with Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa confirming that no survivors were found at the crash site in Igbokoda. The NAF ATR-42 aircraft went down on Monday morning near the Nigerian Navy Forward Operating Base in Ilaje Local Government Area, killing all 32 people on board—25 passengers and seven crew members. The confirmation came during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today, where the governor described the scene as devastating.

Governor Aiyedatiwa said rescue workers recovered debris from the Ondo plane crash site, including wing fragments, identity cards, and military uniforms, which helped confirm that a military aircraft had gone down. “So far, no single life was rescued,” the governor said. “They could not find anybody alive in that aircraft.” His words confirmed the worst fears of a nation that had spent hours hoping for a miracle.

The governor revealed that he received news of the NAF crash at about 10:30 a.m. through the chairman of Ilaje Local Government Area. Initial information was sketchy, with residents across the river reporting a loud sound and vibrations resembling an earthquake. Witnesses later saw the aircraft plunge into a swampy area. Aiyedatiwa said Nigerian Navy personnel initially kept their distance after arriving nearby because they were unsure whether the crash would trigger an explosion or fire. Only after confirming there was no fire or explosion did the Navy personnel move toward the crash site to attempt to rescue those on board.

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Personnel from the Ondo State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), local residents, and the Amotekun security network also joined the rescue operation. Aiyedatiwa said he had been in constant contact with officials in Igbokoda and had received updates from his Senior Special Adviser on Security Matters and the Nigerian Air Force. The Air Force is also conducting its own assessment to determine the cause of the crash.

The governor described the incident as a “painful development,” especially because it involved military personnel “sent to protect the territorial integrity of Nigeria.” “Today is a very sad situation,” Aiyedatiwa said. “We are all sad as Nigerians. And it happened in my own state, not just my own state, but even my own local government area.” His voice carried the weight of a tragedy that has struck close to home for the people of Ondo State.

The traditional ruler of Igbokoda, Oba Afolabi Odidiomo, expressed relief that the aircraft did not crash into the town. “I was praying and afraid that this must not be an aircraft because the casualty figure would have been too high,” Odidiomo said. “We first of all thank God Almighty that it did not drop in the town.” He added that the plane crashed in bushes and a waterlogged area across the river, and that the presence of water may have prevented the aircraft from catching fire after impact.

Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development Festus Keyamo had earlier said the aircraft, with registration number NGR 931, lost contact with air traffic control at about 9:13 a.m. during a routine mission from Benin City to Lagos. Nigerian Air Force spokesman Ehimen Ejodame confirmed that search and rescue operations had been activated in coordination with relevant authorities and emergency response agencies.

Governor Aiyedatiwa has directed SEMA, the Ministry of Health, and relevant security agencies to deploy personnel and resources to support the Air Force and other emergency responders at the crash site. He also ordered security agencies to cordon off the area to prevent unauthorized persons from interfering with rescue operations. The measures reflect the urgency of a situation that has gripped the entire nation.

President Bola Tinubu has ordered the Nigerian Air Force to immediately commence a thorough investigation into the cause of the crash to prevent future occurrences. The President extended his deepest condolences to the families of the victims, the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, and all officers, airmen, and airwomen of the Nigerian Air Force.

No Survivors Found in Ondo NAF Plane Crash — Ondo Governor

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Benue Boat Mishap: Catholic Priest Among Four Dead, Nine Missing

Published

13 hours ago

October 5, 2026

Trends Admin

Benue Boat Mishap: Catholic Priest Among Four Dead, Nine Missing

A Catholic priest, Rev. Fr. Moses Tsuagh, is among four people confirmed dead following a boat mishap at the Buruku crossing point in Buruku Local Government Area of Benue State.

The accident occurred on Saturday, October 3, 2026, as passengers were travelling across the Buruku River after attending a burial ceremony. Most of those on board were reportedly from neighbouring Gboko Local Government Area.

The Benue State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) confirmed that four bodies had been recovered, while nine passengers remained missing as search and rescue operations continued.

SEMA Information Officer, Tema Ager, said the number of people who were aboard the boat was still being established because different accounts had emerged from survivors, relatives and community members.

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An earlier estimate suggested that more than 200 people may have been on the vessel, while subsequent information put the number of passengers believed to have been involved at about 138. The boat was also carrying numerous motorcycles.

Ager said 125 passengers had been rescued as of Monday, while divers and other rescue personnel continued searching for those still unaccounted for.

The rescue operation is also focused on recovering motorcycles and other belongings that went into the river. Authorities said 38 motorcycles were believed to have entered the water, with five subsequently recovered.

Initial accounts attributed the mishap to engine failure, overloading and difficulties encountered while attempts were made to rescue passengers. Another preliminary account from the state Commissioner for Marine and Blue Economy, Dennis Iyaghigba, said a strong current swept the boat into an abandoned barge, causing it to overturn.

The differing preliminary accounts are expected to be clarified as the authorities complete their investigation.

Following the accident, the Benue State Government suspended the Buruku crossing-point branch of the Nigeria Union of Maritime Workers.

Iyaghigba also ordered the suspension of the line operator and directed the arrest and detention of the boat skipper involved in the incident pending investigation.

SEMA has continued to appeal to passengers using the state’s waterways to observe water safety measures, particularly the use of life jackets and compliance with instructions from maritime officials.

The tragedy has renewed concerns about maritime safety in Benue, including passenger capacity, boat maintenance, enforcement of safety regulations and the need for safer river crossings.

Search and rescue efforts are continuing as authorities work to account for all passengers believed to have been aboard the vessel.