NEWS
Sen Bamidele Confirms President Tinubu’s $460K Forfeiture In U.S. Narcotics, Money Laundering Case
Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, a witness for President Bola Tinubu in the ongoing presidential election dispute, has acknowledged that the $460,000 forfeited by the Nigerian leader to the United States was linked to a narcotics business and money laundering.
Mr. Bamidele, a politician from Ekiti and a longstanding protege of Mr. Tinubu, testified at the election petitions tribunal in Abuja on Wednesday against Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the opposition Labour Party.
During his testimony led by senior lawyer Lateef Fagbemi, Mr. Bamidele stated that Mr. Obi had joined the opposition Labour Party while still being a member of the Peoples Democratic Party.
As part of his evidence, Mr. Bamidele submitted the membership registration file of the Labour Party dated April 25, 2022, which did not list Mr. Obi’s name.
The registration document for Anambra state also did not include Mr. Obi’s name during that period.
Mr. Obi’s exit from the PDP was reported on May 25, after which he announced his membership in the Labour Party on May 27.
Despite joining the party less than a month before, Mr. Obi became the Labour Party’s presidential candidate on May 30.
However, the Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal ruled that Mr. Obi did not violate electoral laws by becoming the Labour Party’s candidate, even though he had joined the party shortly before.
The electoral law stipulates a minimum 30-day membership requirement for a candidate.
During cross-examination by Mr. Obi’s lawyers, the highlight of Mr. Bamidele’s testimony came when he admitted that Mr. Tinubu had indeed forfeited over $460,000 in illicit drug proceeds.
The forfeiture occurred in the United States in the 1990s when Mr. Tinubu was residing in Chicago. Despite being a prominent headline in the lead-up to the February presidential election, Mr. Tinubu had refrained from addressing the forfeiture for several years.
Despite the long-standing coverage of this forfeiture before the February presidential election, Mr. Tinubu had not addressed the issue.
Livy Uzoukwu, a senior lawyer representing Mr. Obi, asked Mr. Bamidele if he knew that the forfeiture was linked to narcotics dealing, to which he responded affirmatively.
He also acknowledged his understanding of the money laundering aspect of Mr. Tinubu’s case prior to the final forfeiture.
As the most prominent associate of Mr. Tinubu to confirm the forfeiture and narcotics background of the former Lagos governor, Mr. Bamidele’s testimony carries significance.
Former Vice-President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, is set to address a world press conference at his residence in Abuja on Friday.
The specific reason for the media briefing has not been disclosed as of the time of filing this report.
SEE ALSO: Mambilla: ICC Orders Sunrise Power to Pay Nigeria $11.8m After 9-Year Battle
Atiku’s planned engagement comes amid several developments attracting public attention, including a recent report from TheCable concerning a $500,000 payment allegedly transferred in 2003 to his former wife, Jennifer Douglas, by Leno Adesanya, promoter of Sunrise Power and Transmission Company Limited.
TheCable reported that Adesanya told an international arbitration tribunal that the payment was part of a foreign-exchange transaction carried out for Atiku.
The report further stated that the payment was made through China Castle Investments Limited, an offshore company controlled by Adesanya.
The development comes shortly after an International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) tribunal ruled in favour of Nigeria in the $2.35 billion arbitration dispute brought by Sunrise Power over the Mambilla hydropower project.
The tribunal also ordered Sunrise Power and its promoter to reimburse Nigeria for a portion of its legal fees and expenses.
However, there is currently no official indication that Atiku’s scheduled press conference is connected to the Sunrise Power report, the arbitration ruling or any other specific issue.
The Federal Government has assured Nigerians that no one found culpable in the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners who died in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Niger State will be shielded.
Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, gave the assurance in a statement released on Friday while expressing the Federal Government’s condolences to the Niger State Government, the families of the deceased and the people of the Wushishi community.
The deaths occurred following the arrest of the suspected illegal miners during enforcement operations against illegal mining activities in the Wushishi/Lukoto axis of Niger State.
ALSO READ: 37 Miners’ Deaths: Interior Minister Arrives Minna, Set to Inspect Detention Centre
Idris said the circumstances surrounding the deaths require a thorough, transparent and impartial investigation, stressing that the government’s responsibility is to establish the facts and ensure justice is served.
The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, had ordered the suspension of the Niger State Commandant of the NSCDC, Suberu Siyaka Aniviye, and directed a full investigation into the incident.
“The swift action taken by the Honourable Minister of Interior underscores the seriousness with which the Federal Government views this matter,” Idris said.
He added that the investigation would be allowed to establish exactly what happened and that appropriate action would be taken based on its findings.
“There will be no attempt to shield anyone found culpable. At the same time, we mustn’t prejudge the outcome of the investigation. The Government’s responsibility is to ensure that the facts are established and that justice is served,” the minister said.
Idris stressed that while the Federal Government remains committed to combating illegal mining and other unlawful activities, enforcement operations must be conducted within the law and with respect for human life and dignity.
He appealed for calm in Wushishi and across Niger State, urging residents and other concerned parties to allow the investigation to proceed without interference.
The minister also assured the families of the deceased and the people of Niger State that the Federal Government shares in their grief and remains committed to fully establishing the circumstances surrounding the tragedy.
Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, on Friday arrived at the Niger State Government House in Minna following the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
The minister’s visit comes as pressure mounts on authorities to explain the circumstances surrounding the deaths of the detainees.
SEE ALSO: How Can 37 Suspected Illegal Miners Die in Gov’t Custody? Nigerians Demand Answers
Tunji-Ojo is expected to meet with officials of the Niger State Government as part of his visit to the state.
He is also expected to proceed to the detention centre where the suspected illegal miners were held before their deaths.
The incident has sparked public concern and protests in Minna, with residents demanding answers over the deaths of the detainees while in government custody.
The Federal Government has ordered an investigation into the incident, while the Niger State NSCDC commandant has been suspended pending the outcome of the probe.
Details shortly…….
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