A Washington-based lobbying firm hired by former Nigerian Vice President Atiku Abubakar has begun distributing documents related to a 1993 U.S. civil forfeiture case involving President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to members of the Donald Trump administration and U.S. Congress.
The firm, Von Batten-Montague-York, L.C., said it shared over 60 pages of U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) records and court documents after meetings with government officials and congressional staff. According to the firm, the materials were provided to ensure access to historical records, noting that some officials were previously unaware of the case.
The documents relate to a 1993 civil forfeiture action filed in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, concerning funds alleged to be linked to narcotics trafficking and money laundering. The case, United States v. Funds in Account No. 263226700 et al., named Tinubu and two others, Adegboyega Mueez Akande and Abiodun Agbele, in connection with the investigation.
According to the DOJ records, investigators examined financial activities between 1988 and 1991, alleging that proceeds from a drug trafficking network were deposited into U.S. bank accounts associated with Tinubu. The case was later resolved through a civil settlement, with a portion of the funds forfeited to the U.S. government. No criminal conviction was recorded.
The lobbying contract with Atiku, reportedly valued at $1.2 million over 12 months, includes diplomatic engagement and advocacy on Nigeria-U.S. relations.
The firm also referenced ongoing Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) litigation initiated in 2023 by journalist Aaron Greenspan, seeking access to additional records related to the case. A U.S. court in 2025 ruled that some federal agencies must process parts of the request rather than issue blanket denials.
The issue of the forfeiture case was previously raised during Nigeria’s 2023 presidential election disputes. However, the Presidential Election Petition Court dismissed arguments challenging Tinubu’s eligibility, ruling that the forfeiture was a civil matter and did not amount to a criminal conviction or false disclosure.
The lobbying firm said the documents are being shared for “informational and oversight purposes,” citing the strategic relationship between Nigeria and the United States.
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