The president-elect, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, allegedly received a clean bill of health regarding an alleged drug conviction case in the United States of America, according to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The party argued that Tinubu was suitably qualified to run for president in 2023 after an investigation cleared him of any charges in its processes submitted to the Presidential Election Petition Court (PEPC).
The Federal Government, according to the APC, dealt decisively with the allegations of a drug conviction against the former governor of Lagos State through the Inspector General of Police as early as 2003.
In order to enable the IGP to present and submit as evidence the letter dated February 3, 2003, with reference number SR.3000 /IGP SEC/ABJ/VOL, 24/287, which prompted the clearance letter of the Legal Attaché of the US Embassy in Nigeria, as well as the response to same dated February 4, 2003, it informed the PEPC sitting at the Court of Appeal, in Abuja, of its intention to apply for a subpoena to be issued against him.
The party went on to claim that Tinubu's forfeiture to the United States government, which lasted for 30 years, is no longer a valid justification for contesting his eligibility to run for president.
APC stated, “The Respondent states that, in any event, the impleaded decision of the United States District Court, Northern District of Illinois Eastern Division is not a decision by a competent court of law or tribunal in Nigeria; and same has been falsely, mischievously paraded by 2nd Respondent’s political adversaries like the petitioners, detractors and haters to scandalize, demonize and de-market him to the Nigerian electorate at the 25th February, 2023 general election with a view to delegitimizing his well-earned victory at the polls, despite all legitimate and fact-checked denials and rebuttals as exemplified by the official report from the United States affirming his innocence and exonerating him from the touted drug connection and criminal conviction.
“The Respondent states further that in any event, the said decree of forfeiture was made by Judge John A Nordberg in the said Case No: 93C4483 on the 4th day of October 1993, a period of 29 years before the 25th day of February 2023 when the said presidential election was duly conducted by the 1st Respondent.
“The Respondent avers that the allegations referred to in the said paragraph have been subjecting to litigation and duly litigated upon by a court of competent jurisdiction in Suit No: FHC/L/CS/1146/1999.
“The Respondent further avers that having been litigated upon by a competent court of law, this Honorable Court is stopped from retrying the same issues that have been appealed against. The Respondent shall find and rely upon the judgment in Suit No: FHC/L/CS/1146/1999.
“Without prejudice to the above, the Respondent avers that the Nigeria Police Force investigated the 2nd Respondent regarding any record of criminal arrest and/or conviction. The investigation was extensive and far-reaching.
“Consequently, the American Consulate, Lagos Nigeria revealed that there was no record whatsoever of any criminal arrest, warrants and/or conviction regarding the 2nd Respondent. The Respondent shall find and rely on a letter issued by the Embassy of the United States of America, Nigeria dated 4th February 2003.â€