₦airaland Forum

Even though Atiku has no problem in the USA (he was never indicted) an erroneous post made Nairaland's Frontpage this morning.
Now this is a throwback of Bola Tinubu’s indictment for money laundering and drug crimes in Chicago.
Enjoy.

Tinubu was indicted for Cocaine, Herroine and Gun crimes and forfeited
$460,000.00 in the early 1990’s.

Cocaine, Heroine, Guns and other paraphernalia used in running the drug
business were all recovered from the Tinubu-led drug cartel in Chicago in
the early 1993.

“He is still a suspect and the case against him is not yet closed. It can
be reopened anytime even though he has forfeited proceeds from the crime,”
a U.S Security source told Pointblanknews.com
Sources said, “Even if today Tinubu decides to visit the United States
again, he would be questioned. 

“His crime is not one that
can be swept under the carpet just like that.

“The usual suspicion by the United States and other countries is that once
you have a criminal record, you must be monitored properly in order to
forestall you committing the same crime again.”

Tinubu’s drug crime life has refused to go away from the U.S authorities
even as mainstream media houses in Nigeria have been largely compromised
and would not report the atrocities and conviction of the APC leader.

The APC leader is currently joggling his political cards, seeking to
anoint a Governor in Lagos State and a Presidential flag bearer for his
party despite his indictment for drug crimes in the United States.

According to the document, signed by a former United States Government
Narcotics Attache in its embassy in Nigeria, Andre W. Kellum, Tinubu
operated an organisation that distributed cocaine.

Kellum who signed the U.S documents while serving in Nigeria, is now
Regional Director for the Drug Enforcement Agency, DEA, in Bangkok,
Thailand.

Kellum said that though Tinubu was not subjected to criminal prosecution,
the fact that he acceded to forfeiting funds to the United States
Government was on its own a conviction.

Kellum’s letter was a response to a petition pertaining to Tinubu’s
suitability to stand for re-election in 2003 as the governor of Lagos
State.

The petitioner said that Tinubu, owing to his conviction in the United
States for running a drug cartel, was not suitable to stand for election
in Nigeria.

In the letter dated April 9, 2003, addressed to the former Chairman,
National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Alhaji Bello Lafiaji, Kellum
wrote,
“After consultation with the Department of Justice (DOJ), Office of
International Affairs (OIA), this is in response to the above referenced
matter, regarding Bola Ahmed TINUBU (emphasis that of Kellum).

“Pursuant to the aforementioned request, the Lagos, Nigeria Country Office
(LNCO) of the Drug Enforcement Administration immediately contacted
DOJ/OIA officials. Copies of documents received by the LNCO from the NDLEA
were forwarded to these officials for verification.

“As such, please note that paragraphs 4, 5 and 6 of the complaint
indicates that persons named therein operated an organisation that
distributed heroin and the proceeds of that illegal distribution were in
the subject acounts to be forfeited. The complaint references U.S.
(criminal) money laundering and (criminal) drug statutes as the authority
under which the forfeiture occurs. Nevertheless, note that the complaint
in this civil action identifies the funds as the defendant (Tinubu), not
the account holders.

“Likewise, the Decree of Forfeiture, signed by a U.S. District Judge,
identifies the criminal statutory authority for the civil forfeiture of
the funds without regard to whether there is a corresponding criminal
prosecution.

“The facts revealed in the U.S. Investigation of the funds and their
source are detailed in the affidavit filed by the Internal Revenue
Service. 

In the letter from the NDLEA that resulted in
Kellum’s reaction, the lead anti-narcotic agency in Nigeria said that the
conclusion it could draw was that Tinubu’s drug case was yet to be closed
by the United States.

The letter, in its opinion section, noted, “Former paragraph 6 above,
Governor Ahmed Bola Tinubu was involved in Money Laundering Transactions
along with Mueez Adegboya Akande and Abiodun Agbele in the United States
of America.

“Even though he was not charged to court, he had to compromise the
case. Otherwise, he would have lost the whole money.

“Arising from the case, Governor Ahmed Bola Tinubu forfeited 460,000 US
dollars to the United States Government being proceeds of narcotic
trafficking or property involved in financial transactions in violation of
18 USO 1956 and 1957 and therefore was forfeitable to the United States
(emphasis that of the NDLEA).

“It is pertinent to note that the funds held by Citi bank which was
released to Governor Ahmed Bola Tinubu and the action filed against these
funds held in the said accounts was dismissed with prejudice. This in
effect means the case has not been closed (emphasis that of NDLEA) and
could be reopened at any time by the United States Government.”

The opinion formed by the NDLEA on the issue as a result of Kellum’s
letter, arose from a petition by one of the governorship aspirants in
Lagos State in 2003, Sir Babatunde Abayomi Olowu, that Tinubu was not fit
to stand for the governorship based on his conviction on drug offences in
the United States.

The NDLEA said that though Olowu’s petition, dated January 16, 2003 raised
several grounds for Tinubu to be prevented from contesting, the agency
noted that the aspect in which it was interested was that between 1988 and
1993, the former governor was involved in narcotics trafficking and money
laundering. 

It said that upon receipt of the petition, it
sent copies of the court that indicted Tinubu to the DEA in Nigeria for
assitance.
It said the DEA, through Kellum, replied on April 9, 2003, confirming the
existence of such proceedings.

The NDLEA said based on the report, it established that:

(a) That there was in fact a proceeding in the United States
District Court Northern District of Illinois Eastern Division in 1993 in
which the United States of America was the Plaintiff and the funds in 10
accounts held by Governor Bola Tinubu and Compass Finance and Investment
Co. at First Heritage Bank and Citi Bank International in the United
States were the Defendants.

(b) The substance of the application filed by the United States Attorney
was “This is an in rem forfeiture case brought pursuant to 22 U.S.C.
Section 881 and 18 U.S.C. Section 981 which provides for the forfeiture of
property representing the proceeds of drug trafficking and property
involved in money laundering.”

( c ) Governor Ahmed Bola Tinubu defended the said publication through his
counsel Patrick S. Coffey and there was a stipulation and compromise
settlement of claims to the funds held by Heritage Bank and Citi Bank.

(d) The United States and the Individual Claimants i.e. Governor
Ahmed Bola Tinubu and others agreed to settle and to compromise this
action upon terms previously presented to the court.

(e) The court made the following findings “The United States filed a
verified complaint for forfeitures against the funds in the above
captioned defendant accounts because there was probable cause to believe
that the property represented proceeds of narcotics traficking or was
property involved in financial transactions in violation of 18 U.S.C.

In 1956 and 1957 and therefore was forfeitable to the United States
pursuant to 21 U.S.C. Section 881 (a) 6 and 18 U.S.C. 981. The funds in
the defendant accounts were seized initially by seizure warrants.”

(f) From the findings of the court, “Governor Ahmed Bola Tinubu has
admitted and acknowledged that the funds traced to his account represented
proceeds of narcotics trafficking or was property involved in financial
transactions in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1956 and 1957 and therefore was
forfeitable to the United States pursuant to 21 U.S.C. Section 881 (a) and
18 U.S.C. 981. The funds in the defendants acounts were seized initially
by seizure warrants.”

(g) Following from (f) above, Governor Ahmed Bola Tinubu has also admitted
that he was involved in laundering proceeds of drug trafficking in the
United States of America and the proceeds of such illicit drugs or money
laundered in the sun of 460,000 US dollars be forfeited to the United
States Government.

(h) Although Governor Ahmed Bola Tinubu was not charged to court for
trafficking in narcotics, he was nonetheless indicted for laundering
proceeds of drug trafficking being financial transactions forfeitable to
the United States Government.

(i) Governor Ahmed Bola Tinubu opted for settlement so that he would not
forfeit the whole money. He would have forfeited the whole money if the
mater had gone through full trial.

(j) Under the Nigerian law, it is possible to forfeit property believed to
be proceeds of trafficking in narcotic drugs even if the suspect has not
been convicted and is discharged by the court on technical grounds.

(k) Such a person whose property has been forfeited on grounds of being
proceeds of drug trafficking will be classified as a baron or money
launderer and certainly will be indexed and put on watchlist.

(l) From the above, if Governor Ahmed Bola Tinubu is not the incumbent
Executive Governor of Lagos State he would have been invited for interview
to shed light on the facts admitted by him in this case.

The NDLEA, in a further note, said that at the time of this transaction,
Tinubu was a staff of Mobil Oil Nigeria Limited, with a monthly take home
pays of $2,400.

The note said that despite the amount Tinubu receives, he completed a
credit application for a loan of $8,000 to buy a car on January 6, 1990.

He reportedly said in the application that his only source of income was
from his job with Mobil Oil Nigeria Limited.

The note said that on November 20, 1990, one Abiodun Agbele, whom Tinubu
said is known to him, was arrested after selling one ounce of white heroin
to an undercover agent for $7,000.

Agbele was described as an agent of Mueez A. Akande in the distribution of
heroin in the United States. 

The note added, “Interrogation
of the said Agbele and further investigations revealed the identity of the
other individuals, including relatives who have worked for Akande with
various duties in the distribution organisation. One of these individuals
has been identified by the investigation as Bola Tinubu.

“Governor Tinubu did not file any document to explain the source of
money totalling over 1.4 million dollars which was traced to his account
which was clearly above his means of income.

“Governor Ahmed Bola Tinubu was in the habit of using different
residential addresses for different transactions apparently not to leave
traces.”

In its conclusion, the NDLEA said of Tinubu, “Even though he
was not charged to court, he had to compromise the case. Otherwise, he
would have lost the whole money….

“It is pertinent to note that the funds held by Citi bank which was
released to Governor Ahmed Bola Tinubu and the action filed against these
funds held in the said accounts was dismissed with prejudice. This in
effect means the case has not been closed and could be reopened at any
time by the United States Government.”

John A. Nordberg of the United States District Court, Northern District of
Illinois, Eastern Division, ordered the forfeiture of the huge sums, found
in 10 of Tinubu’s accounts, believed to be proceeds of illicit drug trade.

Imagine the number of people Tinubu killed with his drug running.

Governor Tinubu did not file any document to explain the source of
money totalling over 1.4 million dollars which was traced to his account
which was clearly above his means of income.

Tinubu have been running drug cartels since the early 60s.

And the political mudslinging continues.

Tinubu is a Saint. Argue with ur. ..

This is factual. This is real. However, he is currently APC National leader, the party that makes you a saint even if the whole world is shown your wickedness.

Where's the seal of DEA..?
Tinubu cant be escobar's ally and still flies around majestically.

Tinubu is a well known drug baron and drug addict no wonder his teeth is yellowish brown

DrRasheed:
Where's the seal of DEA..?

Tinubu cant be escobar's ally and still flies around majestically.

Take a second look at the indictment letter I posted.

You better save this for 2023 when he will throw his hat into the ring.

Is Tinubu contesting for Presidency in 2019?

sholatech:
This is factual. This is real. However, he is currently APC National leader, the party that makes you a saint even if the whole world is shown your wickedness.

Have some sense.

[s]

DrRasheed:
Have some sense.

[/s]

Follow your own advice.

If Atiku makes him his VP............total breakage from USA.
What will happened will be worst than been called lifeless.

No clean politician in NIGERIA.

Tinubu is a drug addict in the first place, thanks to united state agencies for investigating him and his dirty job in chicago. tinubu smoke coccaine. tinubu is a well known deug baron in united state of America. how could you went on exile and be pushing hard drugs. that is why people called him ojuyobo.

carammel:
Is Tinubu contesting for Presidency in 2019?

But how can a coccaine warlord be the leader of a political party?

Yet Tinubu Can Go To America Anytime He Wishes But Your Corrupt Atiku Cannot Step His Foot Into America...


I am happy only the Igbos support ATIKU...that alone is enough for Buhari to win in a landslide.

Crocky23:
Take a second look at his indictment letter I posted.

Yah and all i see is baseless accusation that cant stand evidence. No solid info.
So, try again

DrRasheed:
Yah and all i see is baseless accusation that cant stand evidence. No solid info.
So, try again

His case can be revisited any time. He has a criminal past.

Good one there op...PDP and her handlers should and must as a matter of urgency match APC propaganda machineries fire for fire,media-war for media-war,mud-slinging for mud-slinging,propaganda for propaganda.

No retreat no surrender,even if the drug-lord tinubu and his Apc minions rigs the election next year in their favour,they must sweat raw blood to achieve that.

Tinubu don suffer!!! The battle is between Buhari and Atiku,why Tinubu? You people should leave Tinubu alone o!

CilicMarin:
Yet Tinubu Can Go To America Anytime He Wishes But Your Corrupt Atiku Cannot Step His Foot Into America...


I am happy only the Igbos support ATIKU...that alone is enough for Buhari to win in a landslide.

you will be clueless by supporting tinubu at this junction. tinubu is known drug baron and you are still supporting. what message are telling your kids.

No wonder Tinubu’s teeth are all yellow, effects of coccaine.

Johnnyessence:
you will be clueless by supporting tinubu at this junction. tinubu is known drug baron and you are still supporting. what message are telling your kids.

Aren't you useless for supporting criminals like Atiku, Adeleke, Fayose etc....?

Cocaine, Heroine, Guns and other paraphernalia used in running the drug
business were all recovered from the Tinubu-led drug cartel in Chicago in
the early 1993

Wow this guy na propa criminal.

You people are funny. Is Atiku competing against Tinubu or Buhari? Besides, in spite of the embellished stuff in the op's post, Tinubu has no case to answer in the U.S and has travelled to America severally in the past few years, can same be said for Atiku? Tinubu is not the one that will be facing Atiku at the polls o.

CilicMarin:
Yet Tinubu Can Go To America Anytime He Wishes But Your Corrupt Atiku Cannot Step His Foot Into America...


I am happy only the Igbos support ATIKU...that alone is enough for Buhari to win in a landslide.

You appear to be getting weaker and at the same time more desperate as the days go by...Atiku is gradually sapping the life out of you...At this rate,you may not even survive till next year even if Atiku loses.

RockHard:
You people are funny. Is Atiku competing against Tinubu or Buhari? Besides, in spite of the embellished stuff in the op's post, Tinubu has no case to answer in the U.S and has travelled to America severally in the past few years, can same be said for Atiku? Tinubu is not the one that will be facing Atiku at the polls o.

He is leader of APC, I mean considering his past he should be rotting in jail.

it is so so unfortunate that the youths of this generation will be supporting tinubu which has been accused of pushing hard drugs. I'm a yoruba man and i reject his leadership on every side. we reject him in the last month governorship election and we will reject him and his party Apc again in next year presidential election.

Crocky23:
He is leader of APC, I mean considering his past he should be rotting in jail.

GEJ had a chance to put him away but couldn't pin nothing on him. He was only accused of laundering money for someone with a shady dealing, not running any cartel like the Op's post is alleging, else he would be in jail in America till now. All these info are already in the public domain and PDP said worse about him during the period leading up to the 2015 elections. You people will have to try harder or look for something more damaging against Buhari who is your real opponent.

CilicMarin:
Aren't you useless for supporting criminals like Atiku, Adeleke, Fayose etc....?

But you're not useless for supporting a convicted drug lord? See logic.

Crocky23:
But you're not useless for supporting a convicted drug lord? See logic.

Do you even know what a conviction means? Where was he convicted of being a 'drug lord'? Your anger is really clouding your reasoning ability.