SaharaReporters had reported how court papers from the US linked Tinubu to a drug trafficking case and his eventual forfeiture of the sum of $460,000 to the American government.

The presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, on Tuesday filed his petition to challenge the victory of Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 25 February election.

The Independent National Electoral Commission had announced Tinubu as the winner of the election after which it declared him ‘President-elect’.
In his petition before the Presidential Election Petition Court in Abuja, Obi alleged that the election was characterised by various irregularities including the non-qualification of the APC candidate.

According to him, Tinubu’s forfeiture of his funds to the US government over drug trafficking allegation is an indication that the former Lagos State governor committed infractions that should disqualify him from running for an election in Nigeria.

SaharaReporters had reported how court papers from the US linked Tinubu to a drug trafficking case and his eventual forfeiture of the sum of $460,000 to the American government.

How U.S Federal Agents succesfully Linked Bola Tinubu to drug Trafficking Ring in Chicago
Sep 15, 2008
On February 18, 2009, the newspaper obtained original copies of the judgment in the case of United States versus Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in which the ‘President-elect’ was charged (along with other defendants) in a case of massive drug trafficking and money laundering.

This judgment directly relates to (and further documents) the SaharaReporters’ report of September 16, 2008 – How US Federal Agents successfully Linked Tinubu to Drug Trafficking Ring in Chicago.

The US, by its attorney, Michael J. Shepard, United States Attorney for Northern District of Illinois, for its verified complaint of forfeiture, stated that, “Beginning as early as 1998, Adegboyega Mueez Akande, with others operated an organisation which distributed white heroin, a controlled substance under Title 21 of the United States Code.


“This distribution operation was conducted on a large scale and the proceeds of the operation substantial.”

The court ordered “that the funds in the amount of $460,000 in account in the name of Bola Tinubu represents proceeds of narcotics or were involved in financial transactions in violation of 18 U.S.C ss 1956 and 1957 and therefore these funds are forfeited to the United States.”

After protracted litigation in which Tinubu claimed that the monies legitimately belonged to him, his wife, Oluremi Tinubu, and his surrogate mother, one Alhaja Mogaji, Bola Tinubu finally opted for a stipulated settlement with the US government.

According to the settlement order dated September 15, 1993; Hon. Judge John A. Nordberg ordered that the sum of $460,000 held by Bola Tinubu in the First Heritage Bank account be forfeited to the United States Government.

In his petition, Obi anchored this claim on the grounds that Tinubu at the time of the election, was not qualified to contest the election.

Peter Obi Formally Submits Petition At Presidential Elections Tribunal, Challenging Tinubu’s Victory
Mar 21, 2023
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Peter Obi Formally Submits Petition At Presidential Elections Tribunal, Challenging Tinubu’s Victory
The court documents read, “The Petitioners state that the Grounds on which the Petition is based are as follows: The 2nd Respondent was, at the time of the election, not qualified to contest the election.

“The election of the 2nd Respondent was invalid by reason of corrupt practices or non-compliance with the provisions of the more than one Constituency.

“The Petitioners shall contend at the trial that the purported sponsorship of the 2nd and 3rd Respondents by the 4th Respondent was rendered invalid by reason of the 3rd Respondent knowingly allowing himself to be nominated as the Vice Presidential Candidate whilst he was still a Senatorial Candidate for the Borno Central Constituency. The Petitioners shall further contend that for this reason, the votes purportedly recorded for the 2nd Respondent at the contested Presidential election were/are wasted votes and ought to be disregarded.

“The Petitioners further plead that the 2nd Respondent was also at the time of the election not qualified to contest for election to the office of President as he was fined the sum of $460,000.00 (Four-Hundred and Sixty Thousand United States Dollars) for an offence involving dishonesty, namely narcotics trafficking imposed by the United States District Court, Northern District of Illinois, Eastern Division, in Case No: 93C 4483 between:

“In the Decree of Forfeiture, Judge John A. Nordberg in that said Case No: 93C 4483 ordered on October 4, 1993 on page 3 as follows:

"ORDERED that the funds in the amount of $460,000 in account 263226700 held by First Heritage Bank in the name of Bola Tinubu represent the proceeds of narcotics trafficking or were involved in financial transactions in violation of 18U.S.C. $$1956 and 1957 and therefore these funds are forfeited to the United States pursuant to 21 U.S.C. $ 381(a)(6) and18U.S.C. $982; it is further ORDERED that First Heritage Bank shall issue a check in the amountof$460,000 payable to Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago and that these funds shall be disposed of according to law;

“It is further ORDERD that the Court shall retain jurisdiction over this action in order to implement and enforce the terms of this Decree of Forfeiture.

“The above orders were made pursuant to paragraph 5 of the "Stipulations and Compromise Settlement of Claims to the Funds held by Heritage Bank and CitiBank filed by the parties, which stated as follows: ‘The parties further agree that $460,000 from the defendant account held by Heritage bank in the name of Bola Tinubu shall be forfeited by the United States and disposed of according to law. The funds remaining in the account shall be released to K.O. Tinubu.’

“The Petitioners hereby plead and shall rely on certified copies of the following documents, namely: a) Verified Complaint for Forfeiture, submitted by Michael J. Shepard (United States Attorney) and signed by Marsha A. McClellan (Assistant United States Attorney).”

Obi added that Tinubu’s running mate in the February presidential election, Kashim Shettima was nominated for two separate constituencies, as Borno Central senatorial candidate and vice-presidential candidate for Nigeria in the same election cycle.

The judiciary system has been compromised, if the system were to be working, this man would have been picked up long ago.... It's only God that can restore back the stolen mandate to the rightful owner

Chibyke Tools
5 hours ago
The truth of the matter is that, there's nothing built on a wrong foundation that will ever stand no matter how's being supported.
What is the moral justification of the unjustified victory?

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ekoakete12

7 hours ago

The case is dead on arrival. If this is what obi’s lawyers have taken to court, they have scammed their client.

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Truth Heals ekoakete12

6 hours ago

What do you know about an election petition?

That drug case alone is huge one on Tinubu.

In fact it places a huge moral burden on the judges and Nigeria.

Burden of shame

7 hours ago

Honestly speaking,

I expect Mr. Peter Obi to have distanced himself from this churlishness. What has defamation of character got to do in politics? Why making a ridicule of yourself? The mere fact that you fought and won your governorship in the court does not mean you are winning the presidential election as well. The game is over! Grow up! Where your party won, everything was ok. But where you lost, the election was rigged! Your type always doubted the paternity of your unborn child/children.
WHAT A MERCY, YOU WILL NEVER BE THE PRESIDENT OF NIGERIA!!!

Truth Heals Burden of shame

6 hours ago

You don't know the law.

That the corrupt INEC permitted a drug lord to contest and win election., does not mean the courts will give it a free pass.

The drug case of Tinubu is a FACT.

The evidence of a.messed up election with fake results are everywhere.

They will require forensic examination.

You don't know Peter Obi. He is very persistent.

Ojebe Truth Heals 5 hours ago

I hope that by the time the judges deliever their judgment, you and your famili of propaganda will not start abusing them and sing another tune. I will save this conversation and remind you and your ignorant families in few months time

Wawelexy:
The judiciary system has been compromised, if the system were to be working, this man would have been picked up long ago.... It's only God that can restore back the stolen mandate to the rightful owner

Dead horse 🐴

Yessssoh !
Please, share.

DenreleDave:


Which mumu be this one

Why do igbos always like to chest beat every time?

Forensic?

So it is no more a rigged election again, it is now drug case..

Losers

That was a response from the poster @Burden of Shame!

Sahara Deserted

E don dey hot.

"If you don't like the result go to court". Now he has gone to court.

Ofcourse Tinubu is a criminal and in a country where the judiciary is not for the highest bidder, he wouldn't even win a councilorship position how much more presidency.

sotall:
Ofcourse Tinubu is a criminal and in a country where the judiciary is not for the highest bidder, he wouldn't even win a councilorship position how much more presidency.

A country where Buhari, a coup plotter, is a two-time president.

DenreleDave:


Dead horse 🐴

Myopic mind... You don't even know what you are doing to your self and the future of your unborn kids

Wawelexy:
The judiciary system has been compromised, if the system were to be working, this man would have been picked up long ago.... It's only God that can restore back the stolen mandate to the rightful owner

Do you know OBJ tried to deport Asiwaju to the USA because of this drug related offence in 2002, but the US made it clear asiwaju have never been prosecuted for a drug case?

Parachoko:
Do you know OBJ tried to deport Asiwaju to the USA because of this drug related offence in 2002, but the US made it clear asiwaju have never been prosecuted for a drug case?

I remember the case. Let's see were the tribunal challenge is heading. It is getting interesting and lawyers will cash out big time.

Wawelexy:


Myopic mind... You don't even know what you are doing to your self and the future of your unborn kids

Obi that could not help the future of anambra unborn kids can't help Nigeria...


That state is like a dumping ground infested with Ipob terrorist which Peter Obi sponsor

Skyview01:

Truth Heals ekoakete12

6 hours ago

What do you know about an election petition?

That drug case alone is huge one on Tinubu.

In fact it places a huge moral burden on the judges and Nigeria.

There's no concrete evidence of that drug case.
Since 1999, it has been speculations and release of little or no evidence. I v studied the case to an extent and all I see is allegations by opponents.
This won't bring Tinubu down. His downfall is not of man. He's destined to rule Nigeria. Enough of all these plots.
The way Obi and Atiku are running around is funny cos Obi has Pandora, Atiku has Atikugate etc.
Maybe judge ll disqualify all of them and give win to Kwankwaso.
Whichever way, these shows of bad belle is just a comic show.
What we want in Nigeria is restructuring of constitution to regional govt, reduction in budget of salaries of politicians and death penalty to corruption.

Goodlady:

There's no concrete evidence of that drug case.
Since 1999, it has been speculations and release of little or no evidence. I v studied the case to an extent and all I see is allegations by opponents.
This won't bring Tinubu down. His downfall is not of man. He's destined to rule Nigeria. Enough of all these plots.
The way Obi and Atiku are running around is funny cos Obi has Pandora, Atiku has Atikugate etc.
Maybe judge ll disqualify all of them and give win to Kwankwaso.
Whichever way, these shows of bad belle is just a comic show.
What we want in Nigeria is restructuring of constitution to regional govt, reduction in budget of salaries of politicians and death penalty to corruption.

Thank you for yor take

Yyhgf

Adebayoroni32r:
Yyhgf

Dude, Get a life!

Goodlady:
What we want in Nigeria is restructuring of constitution to regional govt, reduction in budget of salaries of politicians and death penalty to corruption.

And you believe tinubu . . . Of all people, can give Nigerians all these things you listed up there?

Wawelexy:
The judiciary system has been compromised, if the system were to be working, this man would have been picked up long ago.... It's only God that can restore back the stolen mandate to the rightful owner

God is already working on it.

Just sit back and enjoy the show

Conner44:


God is already working on it.

Just sit back and enjoy the show

Forgive me but I don't think God has any business in our politics. Na we go define the kind of country we want.

Skyview01:
Burden of shame

7 hours ago

Honestly speaking,

I expect Mr. Peter Obi to have distanced himself from this churlishness. What has defamation of character got to do in politics? Why making a ridicule of yourself? The mere fact that you fought and won your governorship in the court does not mean you are winning the presidential election as well. The game is over! Grow up! Where your party won, everything was ok. But where you lost, the election was rigged! Your type always doubted the paternity of your unborn child/children.
WHAT A MERCY, YOU WILL NEVER BE THE PRESIDENT OF NIGERIA!!!

You guys said he should go to court, now he has gone but you guys are now crying that he went to court.

What exactly do you want

spartan117:

You guys said he should go to court, now he has gone but you guys are now crying that he went to court.

What exactly do you want

I was just quoting the guy from Sahara Reporters.

I am in support of Obi going to court. If not for anything, it will serve to strengthen our judicial process.

Wawelexy:
The judiciary system has been compromised, if the system were to be working, this man would have been picked up long ago.... It's only God that can restore back the stolen mandate to the rightful owner

Picked for what exactly? The USA that works according to u didn't convict him and u want Nigeria judiciary system that does not work to arrest him , u must be high on drug

Skyview01:


Forgive me but I don't think God has any business in our politics. Na we go define the kind of country we want.

remember our national anthem and pledge? There was a line somewhere in there that went . . .

SO HELP ME GOD

God is now helping ’WE’ to decide the kind of country we want because left for us alone, we are lost.

The US replied Tafa Balogun already on this case already.