Nigerians will see President Bola Tinubu pleading for records linked to alleged drug trafficking involving him to remain private, According to US lobbyist Dr Karl Von Batten.
Von Batten, the leader of Washington based policy advisory and lobbying firm Von Batten Montague York, L.C., made the statement while giving an update on the alleged drug trafficking records involving the Nigerian president.
In a post on X, Von Batten said the United States Department of Justice is no longer stonewalling or blocking the release of the alleged drug trafficking documents involving Tinubu.
He described the development as a reversal of the position taken by the DOJ under former President Joe Biden.
According to him, the DOJ under President Donald Trump will inform Judge Howell of its position concerning the release of records related to alleged heroin trafficking involving Tinubu.
Von Batten said August 21 is a major deadline in the case.
He said the DOJ is expected to tell the court by August 21 whether the records should be released. He also said Tinubu has until August 21 to tell the court why the DOJ should not release all records concerning the drug trafficking allegations against him.
Another key date, according to Von Batten, is September 18.
He said that unless Judge Howell asks for additional information or arguments, the court will consider all arguments heard by September 18, after which Judge Howell will make a ruling.
Von Batten said there is now no more room for Tinubu to hide over the alleged records.
He added that his firm would continue to engage the White House and Congress on the matter.
He also said the firm would share all court documents, DOJ documents and Tinubu’s objection with the public.
Von Batten said Nigerians would see the man they call President Tinubu pleading for his alleged drug trafficking records to remain private.
He then challenged Nigerians to ask themselves whether an innocent man would take such a step.
The lobbyist’s comments concern allegations and an ongoing court process over records connected to the drug trafficking claims. His statements do not by themselves establish that Tinubu committed drug trafficking.
