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Washington-based lobbying firm Von Batten-Montague-York L.C. has intensified its campaign against President Bola Tinubu, calling for US authorities to pursue criminal charges over decades-old allegations.
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The latest move comes weeks after the firm urged the Trump administration to avoid any meeting with Tinubu during the September UN General Assembly.
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The firm’s latest statement relied on claims by FOIA litigant Aaron Greenspan and renewed calls for the release of court-ordered records relating to historical US investigations involving the Nigerian President.
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President Tinubu has consistently denied wrongdoing and was never criminally charged or convicted in connection with the historical US civil forfeiture case.
August 06, (THEWILL) — A Washington-based lobbying firm, Von Batten-Montague-York L.C., has intensified its campaign against President Bola Tinubu, declaring that it would pursue what it described as “all lawful avenues” to ensure the Nigerian leader is investigated and, if permitted under United States law, criminally charged over decades-old allegations relating to drug trafficking and money laundering.
The latest move was announced in a statement posted on the firm’s X account on Thursday, August 6.
The development marks the latest in a series of public interventions by the lobbying firm, which has previously mounted efforts to discourage any meeting between President Tinubu and United States President Donald Trump during the forthcoming United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in September.
Critics and political observers have publicly linked the firm to former Nigerian Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar.
Firm Renews Allegations
In its latest statement, the lobbying firm relied on claims by American transparency advocate Aaron Greenspan, who has been pursuing the release of records relating to historical investigations involving Tinubu under the United States Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).
According to the firm, Greenspan alleged that Tinubu’s purported role in a heroin trafficking organisation was to launder proceeds of narcotics trafficking through multiple bank accounts allegedly held in his name.
It claimed those funds were subsequently seized by the US Department of Justice during civil forfeiture proceedings.
READ ALSO:Â Fresh Pressure On Trump: US Lobbying Firm Revives Campaign Against Tinubu Ahead Of UNGA Meeting
The organisation further argued that, beyond allegations of involvement in heroin trafficking, the alleged financial transactions could potentially constitute offences under US money laundering statutes contained in 18 U.S.C. §1956 and 18 U.S.C. §1957.
Questioning why Tinubu was never criminally prosecuted, the firm stated:
“We do not yet know why Tinubu was not criminally charged. Did he flee, make a deal with the DEA, or was there another reason?”
It added that it was exploring every lawful option available to ensure that the matter is examined by both federal and state authorities in the United States.
“If permitted by law, we will work to ensure that President Tinubu is indicted and criminally charged”, the statement added.
Background To The Campaign
The latest remarks represent an escalation of the firm’s sustained efforts to influence US policy ahead of the September UN General Assembly.
Earlier, the organisation had called on the US Department of Justice, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to comply with a federal court order directing the agencies to process records relating to historical investigations involving Tinubu.
The firm also cited a report by the Daily Caller, which alleged that the FBI and DEA had yet to produce responsive records despite an April 2025 ruling by US District Judge Beryl Howell directing the agencies to search for and process documents requested under the Freedom of Information Act.
According to the report, the litigation was initiated after Greenspan and Nigerian investigative journalist David Hundeyin sought access to records relating to historical investigations involving Tinubu. Following the denial of their requests by several federal agencies, the matter proceeded to court.
Judge Howell ordered the FBI and DEA to process responsive, non-exempt records. Court filings, however, indicate that the agencies have sought repeated extensions, while lawyers representing Tinubu have challenged the release of certain records on privacy grounds.
READ ALSO:Â Atiku Opens New Washington Front Against Tinubu With DOJ Forfeiture Files
Historical Proceedings
The records being sought relate to a 1993 civil forfeiture case in the United States involving funds linked to bank accounts associated with Tinubu.
Court documents from that period included an affidavit by an Internal Revenue Service special agent alleging probable cause that certain funds were traceable to proceeds of narcotics trafficking.
The Nigerian President has consistently rejected allegations linking him to drug trafficking and has repeatedly maintained that he committed no criminal offence in the United States.
Felix Ifijeh is a journalist with years of professional reporting experience. Known for his keen news sense, compelling storytelling and commitment to accurate, impactful reporting, he has built a reputation for turning leads into clear, engaging, and well-structured reports that resonate with readers. His work reflects deep newsroom experience and a commitment to accurate, impactful journalism.
