Tinubu's Lawyer Defends President Against Drug Allegations

Wole Afolabi, SAN, a member of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s legal team in the United States, responded to critics regarding Tinubu’s challenge to the release of records held by US law enforcement agencies. Afolabi questioned why American authorities have not arrested Tinubu if credible evidence linked him to drug trafficking.

He made these remarks during an appearance on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, defending Tinubu's legal challenge concerning records from the United States Department of Justice, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Drug Enforcement Administration. This controversy has revived discussions in Nigeria about historical allegations against Tinubu, including a 1993 civil forfeiture proceeding involving approximately $460,000.

Afolabi cited cases of other foreign political leaders, such as Manuel Noriega and Andrew Fahie, to illustrate that US authorities do not shield foreign political figures from prosecution when warranted. He emphasized that several Nigerians have been extradited to the US for drug-related charges, reinforcing the seriousness with which US law enforcement treats drug trafficking offenses.