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As FBI Confirms Investigating President Over Alleged Heroin Trafficking
- Safiu Kehinde
America-based lobbying firm, Van Batten-Montague-York, has vowed to ensure that President Bola Tinubu is embarrassed at the forthcoming United Nations General Assembly.
Van Batten-Montague-York made the vow as it released document confirming the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) probe of the president over alleged heroin trafficking to America.
The firm who was hired by the 2027 African Democratic Congress (ADC) Presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, disclosed this in series of posts shared on its official X handle on Monday.
Attached to one of the posts by Van Batten-Montague-York was a copy of a sworn declaration issued by the FBI affirming that Tinubu was criminally investigated.
The firm claimed to have released the document to debunk the presidency’s claim that Tinubu was not investigated over the alleged heroin trafficking.
“The FBI states under oath that the court has already determined that a criminal investigation of Nigerian President Bola Tinubu was officially acknowledged.
“Let that sink in: This is a sworn declaration submitted by the FBI to a United States federal court stating that Nigerian President Bola Tinubu was criminally investigated in connection with the trafficking of heroin.
“We are posting this document to counter the claim made yesterday that President Tinubu was never criminally investigated and is simply following the law to protect his privacy. That claim is false, as shown by the FBI’s sworn declaration below.” The post read.
According to the lobbying firm, the FBI, in the declaration explain that they could not prosecute as a result of the alleged deal he made with federal authorities during the 1990s.
While admitting to Tinubu’s eligibility to travel to New York for UNGA, the firm however held that the Nigerian President will be embarrassed as his planned meeting with President Donald Trump will not hold on account of the heroin trafficking allegation against him.
“As President of #Nigeria, he can travel to New York to attend the @UN General Assembly (UNGA) under the access and transit protections afforded to representatives of UN member states.
“This being the case, we look forward to President #Tinubu attending the UNGA next month. Unfortunately for President Tinubu, he is going to be embarrassed at the UN. The meeting President #Tinubu has been pushing for with President @realDonaldTrump at the UNGA will not happen.
“Key members of the #Trump Administration have made it clear that President Trump is not going to meet privately with an alleged heroin trafficker.” It said.
The firm further claimed that several world leaders at the meeting will be made aware of Tinubu’s heroin trafficking case while expressing intent to further making it a public knowledge across New York if authorised.
“Furthermore, from reports we have seen, from South Africa to Italy, world leaders attending the UNGA will be fully aware of the heroin-trafficking allegations against President #Tinubu.
“If we are authorized, we will put into operation our plan to ensure every New Yorker within a six-mile radius of #UN Headquarters learns about President Tinubu’s alleged role in smuggling poison (heroin) onto American soil.
“Throughout the day, we have been engaging with senior members of the @realDonaldTrump Administration and Congress, and our message has been clear: President Bola Tinubu’s (@officialABAT) alleged heroin trafficking is a #liability to the United States and to the peace and stability of Nigeria and the region as a whole.” The Republican political advisor said.
The firm claimed that Tinubu’s record stand contrast to Atiku who, according to it, has no drug-related record at the United States.
“This stands in stark contrast to former Nigerian Vice President @atiku Abubakar, who is a statesman and, more importantly, unlike President #Tinubu, there is no U.S. government document in which Atiku is accused of drug trafficking or any other crime.
“Nigerians are God-fearing people who value life and family, and Atiku is an embodiment of these strong values.” The statement read further.
The firm hinted the US plan to ensure that the 2027 Presidential Election in Nigeria is not rigged by Tinubu.
“The United States cannot afford to repeat the mistakes of the @JoeBiden Administration that contributed to coups in Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso. Nigeria is simply too important.
“This is why the United States must do everything to ensure that President #Tinubu cannot rig the upcoming presidential election. Nigerians deserve a free and fair election.
“Hope is coming to Nigeria.” It added.