NEWS
Why Tinubu’s Name Appeared in FBI Investigation — Omokri
Nigeria’s ambassador-designate to Mexico, Reno Omokri, has explained why President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s name became connected to an FBI investigation, insisting that the President was not the subject of the probe.
Omokri spoke on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Sunday as controversy over United States records linked to a 1990s investigation resurfaced.
According to him, the investigation involved people connected to funds that Tinubu, who was working as an accountant at the time, held on behalf of clients.
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“There was an investigation. Bola Ahmed Tinubu was not the subject of that investigation,” Omokri said.
He said the controversy had been driven by what he described as a misleading interpretation of Tinubu’s connection to funds that came under scrutiny by American authorities.
Omokri explained that the individuals connected to the funds had been indicted by the FBI and that some of the money was subsequently identified as suspicious.
“The President was an accountant, and then the President had client funds. Those persons had been indicted by the FBI, and as a result of that, it said that certain funds… are suspicious funds,” he said.
He added that when the issue was brought to Tinubu’s attention, the then-accountant agreed to the forfeiture of the funds.
“And then when it was brought to the attention of the President, the President agreed for a forfeiture. Now, it was to the accounts, not the President.”
Omokri reiterated that the existence of an FBI investigation could not be disputed, but maintained that Tinubu himself was not the person being investigated.
“There was an investigation. Bola Ahmed Tinubu was not the subject of that investigation,” he said.
Omokri cites 2003 FBI document
The ambassador-designate also referred to a 2003 FBI document which he said contained the outcome of checks conducted on Tinubu.
According to Omokri, the document showed that there was no criminal arrest record or outstanding warrant against the President.
He, however, declined to disclose the identities of the individuals who were investigated, saying he was unwilling to expose their families to unnecessary consequences.
Renewed controversy over US records
The latest comments come amid renewed debate over US records connected to the 1990s investigation and ongoing legal proceedings seeking access to documents held by American law-enforcement agencies.
The dispute includes 399 pages of records identified in Freedom of Information Act proceedings, with some of the documents reportedly redacted or withheld.
Omokri declined to comment on the contents of the documents, citing the pending court case.
He also argued against releasing potentially sensitive information contained in the records, saying such material could include biometric, familial and financial details.
According to him, releasing such information could provide political opponents with material that might be misused against the President.
“You don’t want those records in the hands of your enemies,” he said.
The much awaited Africa’s largest Initial Public Offering by the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals (DPRP) has been formally flagged off on the Nigerian Exchange (NGX).
President and Chief Executive Officer, Dangote Industries Limited (DIL), Aliko Dangote, marked the commencement of the offer by ringing the opening bell at the NGX trading floor in Lagos on Monday.
The transaction marks a significant milestone for Nigeria’s capital market, as the DPRP becomes the first refinery in the Nigerian Exchange’s 66-year history to open its shares to public subscription.
READ ALSO: Dangote Refinery Opens Landmark IPO Today
The offer comprises 4.1 billion new ordinary shares priced at N525 per share, allowing investors to acquire an equity stake in Africa’s largest refinery.
Retail and institutional investors, as well as eligible investors across Africa, can participate in the public offer.
Investors can subscribe for a minimum of 10 shares, requiring an investment of N5,250 at the offer price.
The offer opened on Monday, September 14, 2026, and is scheduled to close on October 13, 2026, subject to the terms and conditions contained in the offer prospectus.
At the ceremony, Dangote highlighted that the public offer was part of a broader effort to expand public participation in owning his companies.
“We will lease every company that we operate,” he said.
The launch attracted prominent dignitaries, including Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, members of the Dangote family and captains of industry.
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has warned prospective investors against fraudsters, fake platforms and unauthorised individuals seeking to take advantage of the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals Initial Public Offering (IPO).
The Commission issued the warning in a public notice dated Monday, September 14, 2026, following its approval for the IPO by Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals FZE to open to the public.
The SEC urged investors to exercise caution and ensure that all applications and payments relating to the IPO are made only through the officially designated and approved receiving agents, subscription channels and platforms.
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The Commission advised prospective investors to obtain information about the IPO only from the SEC’s official channels, the issuer’s official channels and other official channels established and approved for the offer.
It also urged investors to verify the authenticity of any website, platform or link before providing personal or financial information.
According to the SEC, investors should follow only the officially announced subscription or application process and IPO timetable and should “Avoid transferring funds to any person or entity claiming to receive applications/subscriptions outside the approved channels.”
The Commission further advised investors to verify that their chosen registered Capital Market Operator’s channels or platforms for the offer are duly authorised and approved.
The SEC also warned investors to “Avoid responding to unsolicited calls, WhatsApp messages, social media advertisements, emails or other channels/platforms that offer or guarantee allotments or preferential allocation.”
The regulator urged prospective subscribers to carefully read the approved Prospectus and understand the terms, conditions and risks associated with the investment before making any subscription.
SEC warns against fake IPO agents
The Commission stressed that the existence of an individual, company, digital platform or social media account does not, by itself, constitute approval or authorisation to receive applications or funds from investors in respect of the offer.
The SEC therefore advised prospective investors to contact SEC-registered stockbrokers, banks or registered Investment advisers for guidance before subscribing.
The Commission also urged the public to “VERIFY” the registration status of companies, entities, platforms or individuals offering investment opportunities before entering into any transaction with them.
Investors can verify the registration status of operators through the SEC’s dedicated portal for registered fintech operators or through the Commission’s Capital Market Operators platform.
The warning comes as the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals IPO officially opens on Monday, September 14, 2026, following the Commission’s approval.
The Commission listed its contact details as +2342094621168-9 and [email protected], while its WhatsApp contact is 0916 772 3240.
The SEC urged investors to remain vigilant and rely only on verified and authorised channels throughout the IPO process.
Investor demand for the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals initial public offering (IPO) has reached a historic level, with subscription activity surging across digital investment channels.
Data released by the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) on its official X handle on Monday showed that total transaction volume had surpassed 402,634, pushing the total subscription value to ₦1,476,171,994,112, approximately ₦1.476 trillion.
The figures, displayed on the #NGXInvest command centre dashboard, highlight the strong appetite among investors for the landmark offering.
More details shortly.
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