PEPC Admits US Judgment On Tinubu’s Alleged $460,000 Forfeiture

PEPC Admits US Judgment on Tinubu’s Alleged $460,000 Forfeiture 

The Presidential Election Petition Court, PEPC, on Tuesday, admitted in evidence, a US District Court judgment which allegedly indicted President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and ordered the forfeiture of his $460,000 over drug related offences.

A witness, Barr. Lawrence Uche Chukwu Nnana Nwaketi, tendered the certified true copy of the judgement following the commencement of hearing of the petition filed by the Presidential candidate of the Labour Party, LP, Mr Peter Gregory Obi, against the election of Tinubu.

Barr. Nnana, who was led in evidence by Mr Jibrin Okutepa, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, tendered the Court’s judgment as part of requests by Obi and Labour Party to set aside and nullify Tinubu’s declaration as winner of the February 25, 2023, presidential election. 

Barr Nnana, Obi’s first witness, also admitted while being cross examined, that though there was no certificate from any Consular in Nigeria or America in support of the judgment, “the judgment speaks for itself”, adding that he had been to the US and read the judgment in its entirety.

He noted however, that he would be surprise if no mention was made of a $460,000 forfeiture.

Still under cross examination by APC counsel, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, Barr Nnana admitted that the US court ruling had no certificate given under the hand of any American Police Officer. He also denied knowledge of a February 4, 2003, Formal Clearance Report by Legal Attachee from American Embassy in respect of the alleged indictment and forfeiture.

In addition, he could not produce a copy of the charges against Tinubu, admitting that he did not have any. He maintained however, that the indictment and forfeiture are from civil proceedings.

The has been adjudged till May 31.