“Explain Tinubu’s $460k Forfeiture Instead Of Attacking My Lobbyist” – Atiku Tells Presidency

Atiku Abubakar, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, has challenged the presidency to explain the $460,000 forfeited by President Bola Tinubu in the United States instead of attacking the Washington-based lobbying firm he hired.

Tinubu forfeited $460,000 to the US government in 1993 after a Chicago court ruled that the money was linked to proceeds from heroin trafficking.

Atiku engaged Von Batten-Montague-York, L.C. in March to help protect and improve his reputation in the US.

Documents filed with the US Department of Justice (DOJ) showed that part of the firm’s assignment was to respond to the Nigerian government’s lobbying efforts in the US.

In July, the lobbying firm said it had started sharing DOJ records concerning allegations of drug trafficking against Tinubu with officials in the Donald Trump administration, members of Congress and senior congressional staff.

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The firm said some officials in the US government were not previously aware of the DOJ records involving Tinubu.

It also said it wanted the relevant court documents, affidavit and federal court decisions to be brought to the attention of Trump.

The development drew criticism from Sunday Dare, Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Media and Public Communications.

Dare questioned claims that Von Batten, the firm’s managing partner, had direct access to Trump or his administration or could influence US court proceedings.

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Responding through his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku accused the presidency of avoiding the main issue by focusing on the background of Von Batten.

Atiku said his $1.2 million payment to the lobbying firm was properly registered with the US Department of Justice under the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA).

He challenged Tinubu to explain the alleged connection to a US federal investigation involving narcotics and money laundering, as well as the $460,000 that was forfeited from an account in the president’s name.

The former vice-president also accused the Tinubu administration of double standards over its criticism of his spending on lobbying.

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Atiku alleged that the federal government had entered into a $750,000 monthly agreement with DCI Group, which he said amounted to $4.5 million over six months and could rise to $9 million under the terms of the arrangement.

“If Atiku’s $1.2 million is evidence of desperation, what exactly should Nigerians call your own arrangement capable of reaching $9 million?” he asked.

“President Tinubu, before counting Atiku’s $1.2 million, account for your own $9 million arrangement. And before attacking the messenger, answer the $460,000 question.”

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