Atiku Abubakar, presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has asked the presidency to explain President Bola Tinubu’s $460,000 forfeiture in the United States rather than discrediting Von Batten-Montague-York, L.C., a Washington-based lobbying firm.
Tinubu surrendered $460,000 to the US government in 1993,
after a Chicago court found that the money was the proceeds of heroin
trafficking.
BACKGROUND
In March, Atiku hired the lobbying firm to protect and
strengthen his “reputational standing” in the US.
According to the document filed with the US department of
justice (DOJ), one of the contract’s objectives is for the firm to
“counterbalance” the Nigerian government’s “lobbying narratives” in the US.
In July, the firm said it had begun providing members of the
Donald Trump administration, congress, and senior congressional staff with DOJ
records relating to drug trafficking allegations against Tinubu.
The firm said many within the US government were previously
unaware of the DOJ’s allegations concerning Tinubu and that it intended to
ensure that the complete collection of DOJ court filings, a supporting
affidavit, and related federal court decisions are brought to Trump’s
attention.
On Wednesday, Sunday Dare, special adviser to the president
on media and public communications, criticised Atiku for engaging the firm to
lobby on his behalf.
He said claims suggesting that Von Batten, the firm’s
managing partner, had access to Trump or his administration, or could influence
ongoing US court proceedings, should be treated with caution.
‘EXPLAIN TINUBU’S $460,000 FORFEITURE IN US’
In a statement issued on Wednesday by Phrank Shaibu, his
senior special assistant on public communication, Atiku said the presidency is
focusing on the personal history of Von Batten, the firm’s managing partner,
rather than the $460,000 forfeiture question.
Atiku said his $1.2 million engagement with the lobbying
firm was voluntarily registered with the DOJ under the Foreign Agents
Registration Act (FARA).
He said Tinubu should explain his alleged link to a US
federal narcotics and money-laundering investigation, as well as the forfeiture
of $460,000 held in an account in his name.
The ADC presidential candidate accused the presidency of
hypocrisy for criticising his lobbying expenditure, alleging that Tinubu’s
administration entered into a $750,000-per-month arrangement with DCI Group,
totalling $4.5 million over six months, with provisions that could increase the
contract to $9 million.
“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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