A Washington-based lobbying firm retained by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has begun circulating United States Department of Justice (DOJ) records relating to President Bola Tinubu’s 1993 civil forfeiture case to officials in the Donald Trump administration, members of Congress and senior congressional staff.
The development comes as political activities ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general election continue to gather momentum.
Lobbying Firm Distributes DOJ Documents
The firm, Von Batten-Montague-York, which was hired by Atiku under a 12-month lobbying contract reportedly worth $1.2 million, disclosed the move in a post on X.
According to the firm, it distributed more than 60 pages of DOJ court filings, affidavits and related federal court decisions connected to allegations arising from a heroin trafficking investigation in the late 1980s and early 1990s.
The firm said the documents were shared following discussions with White House officials and congressional staff to ensure U.S. policymakers have access to the records, particularly amid reports that President Tinubu is seeking a meeting with President Donald Trump during the upcoming United Nations General Assembly.
Background of the Case
The documents revisit the 1993 civil forfeiture case in which U.S. authorities alleged that funds in bank accounts linked to Tinubu were proceeds of heroin trafficking.
The matter was resolved through a negotiated civil settlement, with part of the funds forfeited to the U.S. government. The case did not result in a criminal conviction.
The circulated records also reference a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) lawsuit filed in 2023 by journalist Aaron Greenspan, seeking the release of additional records related to the investigation.
A U.S. court later directed some federal agencies to process responsive records instead of refusing to confirm or deny their existence.
Issue Previously Addressed by Nigerian Courts
Tinubu’s 1993 forfeiture case featured prominently during the 2023 presidential election petitions in Nigeria.
However, the Presidential Election Petition Court ruled that the U.S. proceedings were civil rather than criminal and held that there was no evidence the President had been convicted of any offence in the United States or made false declarations to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The latest move by Atiku’s lobbyists is expected to add another dimension to the political contest ahead of the 2027 elections.
