Nigerian High Commissioner to South Africa, Femi Fani-Kayode, has challenged a United States-based political advisory and lobbying firm, Von Batten-Montague-York, to provide evidence of the alleged drug trafficking record linked to President Bola Tinubu.
Fani-Kayode threw this challenge in a statement posted on his verified X handle on Saturday.
He said the allegation about the funds was made by the US Department of Justice in a verified civil forfeiture complaint filed 26 July 1993 in the Northern District of Illinois.
According to him, it is an allegation against property, not a finding that President Tinubu personally smuggled heroin.
The former Aviation Minister further said that being a subject of an investigation into a drug-trafficking operation that did not result in an arrest, indictment, prosecution or conviction cannot be equated to being involved in drug trafficking in the 1990’s or at any other time.
“Who made the allegation that “Tinubu smuggled heroin into America” in the 1990’s and where is the evidence?
“You claim that the US Government and the Drug Enforcement Administration, DEA made the allegation but if this is the case kindly tell us where and when.
“Investigation is not proof of involvement. Civil forfeiture is an action against property, not a criminal verdict against a person.
“I repeat, the 1993 complaint and 2026 FBI declaration show an investigation and a civil settlement over funds, not a finding that Tinubu personally smuggled heroin.
“I challenge you to show your evidence that the entire Federal Government is corrupt. Fani-Kayode said.
Tinubu’s drug allegation: Provide your evidence – Fani-Kayode challenges US firm