The United States (U.S.) government has eventually released certified copies of court documents showing that the presidential candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, was involved in drug trafficking and money laundering suit in Chicago, US. National Daily leant that the document was earlier released on August 10, by the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, confirming the claims that the former Lagos State had drug trafficking and money laundering case in the U.S., which also involved two others identified as K.O. Tinubu and Alhaji Mogati. They were facing trial for taking custody of banking proceeds from illicit drugs and money laundering deposited with Heritage Bank and Citibank.
There was, however, skepticism over the true identity “Alhaji Mogati”, whether the name was miswritten for “Alhaja Abibatu Mogaji,”.
However, the U.S. government was said to have moved for the forfeiture of the funds realized from hard drug in July 1993 in which Tinubu was accused of laundering. Tinubu was said to have reached a plea bargain with the U.S. government where both parties agreed that Tinubu and others can retain the funds deposited with the Heritage Bank but should forfeit the $460,000 deposited with the Citibank.
Tinubu was, however, alleged to have told the INEC in his forms he submitted for the 2023 elections that he had no previous criminal convictions.
It was noted that the 56-page document released by the district court’s headquarters in Chicago did not include crucial new details, but it confirmed snippets of the matter that had been shared spontaneously by the media for years. Journalist David Hundeyin also reignited interest in Tinubu’s drug-dealing in a July 13 article in West Africa Weekly.
A legal practitioner, Kalu Agu, had petitioned the EFCC and NDLEA, urging them to investigate Tinubu over the allegation of drug charges before the February 2023 presidential election.
Kalu Agu, in the petition on November 8, issued the EFCC and NDLEA seven days ultimatum to commence the investigation of Tinubu or be compelled through a judicial order of mandamus, a process that involves ordering a public department to perform a public duty.
Kalu Agu at his Centre for Reform and Public Accountability in Abuja, had stated: “It is our view that you have a historic duty to ensure that Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu is called to account for his deeds in money laundering arising from his involvement in narcotics trafficking.”