APC National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu is once again, about to enjoy a great deal of media attention as he faces a new headache over rumours that he may be invited for questioning over alleged drug crimes and criminal activity allegedly committed in the United States a few years ago.
[email protected] learned the issue resurfaced again on social media on Friday. A report monitored on the Federal Bureau of Investigations ‘Crime Data Explorer’ allegedly revealed an open warrant seeking the arrest of the former Lagos state governor over unanswered questions relating to his alleged indictment in drug related case in Chicago in 1995.
In a story published by newsnowonline.com, an online medium, it was alleged that Tinubu cannot visit the United States as he may be arrested if he tries to set his foot on American soil.
‘According to the document signed by a former United States Government Narcotics Attaché in its embassy in Nigeria, Andre W. Kellum, Tinubu operated an organization 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 submitted that Tinubu was though not subjected to criminal prosecution, the fact that he acceded to forfeiting funds to the United States Government was on its own a conviction.
The letter, in its opinion section, noted, ‘Former paragraph 6 above, Ahmed Bola Tinubu was involved in Money Laundering Transactions along with Mueez Adegboyega Akande and Abiodun Agbele in the United States of America.
Arising from the case, 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 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 court, in the order given on October 4, 1993, said the drug deal, specifically in white heroin, involved Tinubu; his wife, Oluremi; and three of his family members.
The accounts from which the funds were seized include First Heritage Bank (263226700), Citi International Bank (39483134, 39483396, 4650279566, 00400200, 39936404, 39936383, 52050-89451952, 52050-89451952 and 52050-89451953).
According to a Special Agent of the United States Criminal Investigation Service, Kevin Moss, the DEA became involved in the investigation of a white heroin network operating in Chicago, Illinois and Hammond, Indiana in 1988.
Cocaine, heroin, guns and other paraphernalia used for running the drug cartel were recovered by the investigators.
The affidavit added, ‘The investigation disclosed that an individual known as Lee Andrew Edwards was a source of white heroin. Edwards is currently incarcerated for attempting to murder a federal agent while the agent was executing a search warrant.
It is true that he is still a suspect and the case against him is very much open, a US Security source 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’ newsnowonline stated- [email protected]
