United States-based policy advisory and lobbying firm, Von Batten-Montague-York, has alleged that it was offered $3 million to drop the alleged drug trafficking probe of Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu.
Von Batten-Montague-York made this allegation in a post on its verified X handle on Wednesday.
The firm, however, said its leader, Dr Von Batten, refused the offers, preserved copies of the exchanges, and contacted members of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar’s campaign to determine the nature of the individual’s relationship with President Tinubu.
According to the firm, after the refusals, a smear campaign against Dr Von Batten began, insisting that it would be providing the $3 million offer and related communications to the Department of Justice, DOJ, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, FBI, to protect its reputation and allow the appropriate authorities to review the matter.
“A few days ago, Dr Von Batten received unsolicited offers of $3 million, along with an invitation to a confidential meeting in London, from a highly placed individual whom we have been informed is connected to Nigerian President Bola Tinubu.
“We believe these offers were an attempt to persuade Dr Von Batten to end our campaign concerning President Tinubu’s alleged heroin-trafficking records.
“We have a simple message for President Tinubu, Nigeria’s ruling party, All Progressives Congress, APC, and their associates. Thank you for the offer, but no thanks,” the firm wrote.
Alleged drug trafficking: We were offered $3m to drop Tinubu’s probe – US firm