The Independent National Electoral Commission has said it is studying the certified true copy of the criminal forfeiture order against the presidential candidate of the All Progressive Congress, Bola Tinubu in the United States.
The electoral umpire said this following the release of the documents by United States Court of Northern Illinois District, earlier in the week.
The document dated July 23, 1993 showed that the former Lagos State governor forfeited funds linked to drug trafficking to the United States government.
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In a statement on Friday by Festus Okoye, National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, INEC said it was studying the documents to see if Tinubu contradicted guidelines of the 2023 Electoral Law.
The statement titled ‘Certified True Copy of Order of Criminal Forfeiture Against APC Presidential Candidate Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the United States,’ reads;
“Our attention has been drawn to the recently released certified true copy of an order of criminal forfeiture granted against Asiwaju Bola Tinubu the presidential flag bearer of the All Progressive Congress by the United States Court of Northern Illinois district dated 23rd July 1993.
“The order borders on issues of criminal forfeiture of funds linked to narcotics smuggling conspiracy and money laundering. We are currently liaising with the Northern Illinois District Court in order to establish more facts about the case before taking a decision.
“We are also studying the judgment in order to determine whether offences which contradict the INEC guidelines and Electoral Act 2022 has been committed.
“We endeavour to expedite the process and shall communicate the results of our findings together with our decision to the general public within ten working dates from today’s date.”
Meanwhile, the APC has exonerated its presidential candidate of any wrongdoing as suggested by the court documents released by the US.
Reacting to the report, APC Presidential Campaign Spokesperson, Festus Keyamo said Tinubu merely shared a flat with drug barons and was never involved in any illicit drug trade.
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