Tinubu Not Facing Arrest at UNGA, Firm Clarifies

Von Batten-Montague-York, a US-based political advisory and lobbying firm, clarified that Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is not expected to be arrested during his attendance at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York. The firm stated that while there is no plan for his arrest, Tinubu could face public embarrassment due to longstanding allegations regarding his involvement in heroin smuggling in the US during the 1980s and 1990s.

The firm also dismissed expectations of a private meeting between Tinubu and US President Donald Trump, asserting that such an engagement would not occur. The allegations against Tinubu have been linked to a 1990s narcotics investigation in Chicago and have resurfaced amid renewed scrutiny of US records related to the case.

Although US authorities previously pursued a civil forfeiture case involving approximately $460,000 connected to Tinubu, it did not lead to a criminal conviction. The firm continues to advocate for transparency regarding the investigation's records.