US Lobbying Firm Pushes For Release of Tinubu’s Alleged Drug Records
A United States-based lobbying firm linked to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has intensified efforts to secure the release of records connected to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s long-standing case in the United States.
The firm, Von Batten-Montague-York, announced on Saturday that it would broaden its campaign by engaging anti-drug groups, religious organisations and individuals affected by heroin abuse in the United States.
In a statement published on its official X account, the lobbying firm alleged that several American law enforcement agencies had failed to release documents relating to investigations into Tinubu despite multiple requests filed under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).
According to the firm, the requests were submitted by American transparency advocate Aaron Greenspan to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Department of Justice (DOJ), and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).
The organisation listed several FOIA request numbers which it said were filed in pursuit of records concerning allegations that have continued to generate political debate in Nigeria.
“The FBI, the Justice Department, and the DEA under President Joe Biden refused FOIA requests to release records concerning Nigerian President Bola Tinubu’s alleged heroin trafficking from Nigeria to Chicago,” the firm stated.
It further claimed that legal efforts to obtain the documents led to a court order directing the release of the records.
“The FOIA requests were made by Aaron Greenspan, an American transparency activist. The refusal and stonewalling by the Biden Administration led to US District Judge Beryl Howell ordering the Biden Administration in 2025 to release the files. Yet, no files have been released. This is going to change,” the statement added.
The lobbying firm also announced plans to meet with anti-drug campaigners and families affected by heroin-related deaths as part of its advocacy efforts.
“As President Donald Trump has rightfully shown, US agencies must never protect foreign leaders accused of having links to drugs smuggled into the United States.
“Next week, we will be engaging with anti-drug organisations, religious leaders, and victims of heroin abuse and deaths regarding President Tinubu’s alleged link to heroin trafficking in Chicago,” the group stated.
Last week, Atiku criticised the Federal Government’s response to petitions reportedly submitted by his American lobbying team to President Donald Trump and the US State Department.
The petitions reportedly sought renewed attention to records relating to Tinubu’s 1993 civil forfeiture case in the United States.
Atiku, through his media aide, Phrank Shaibu, accused the Presidency of mishandling its defence of the President after officials referenced China’s strict anti-drug laws while responding to the controversy.
“It takes a peculiar kind of unintelligence for a spokesman to set out to drag an opponent before a hypothetical Chinese court, only to end up dragging his own principal into the dock,” Atiku had said.
The Presidency has consistently rejected allegations linking Tinubu to criminal wrongdoing in the United States.
Officials have maintained that American authorities have repeatedly confirmed that there are no pending criminal cases against the Nigerian leader.
Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga also dismissed Atiku’s latest moves, describing them as politically motivated.
He further accused the former vice president of corruption during his years in government, escalating the war of words between both camps.
The dispute centres on a civil forfeiture matter concluded more than three decades ago in the United States.
The case involved funds connected to bank accounts associated with Tinubu and has remained a recurring issue in Nigeria’s political landscape.
While the opposition continue to demand the release of additional records relating to the matter, the Presidency insists that the case did not result in any criminal conviction and should not be presented as evidence of wrongdoing.
