Election 2023: INEC Writes American Court On Tinubu’s Criminal Forfeiture

By Frank Oshanugor

Nigeria’s electoral umpire, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has written to the United States Court of Northern Illinois District on the trending issue of criminal forfeiture against the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate in the forthcoming election, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

In a statement at the weekend signed by its National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye, INEC said:
“Our attention has been drawn to the recently Certified True Copy of an order of criminal forfeiture granted against Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu the presidential flag bearer of the All Progressives Congress by the United States Court of Northern Illinois District dated 23rd July, 1993.

“The order borders on issues of criminal forfeiture of funds linked to narcotics smuggling conspiracy and money laundering.

“We are currently liaising with the Northern Illinois District Court in order to establish more facts about the case before taking a decision. We are also studying the judgement in order to determine whether offences which contradict the INEC guidelines and Electoral Act 2022 have been committed.

“We endeavor to expedite the process and shall communicate the results of our findings together with our decision to the general public within ten working days from today’s date (11th December, 2022).”

It will be recalled that since Tinubu emerged as APC presidential candidate at the party’s primaries, the social media has been awash with report of his

criminal involvement in drug related activities while residing in the United States of America