US Firm Opens Probe Into Alleged Foreign Assets of Tinubu Officials
*May report findings to Trump administration, Congress
By KEMI KASUMU
The firm also cited the Global Magnitsky Act, which authorises sanctions against foreign officials involved in significant corruption, including alleged misappropriation of public assets for personal gain and the transfer of corruption proceeds abroad.
A United States-based political advisory and lobbying firm, Von Batten-Montague-York, has announced plans to investigate allegations that some senior officials in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration own properties and other assets in the United States and Europe allegedly beyond what their official government earnings could justify.
The firm said it received several messages from concerned Nigerians alleging that some members of the Tinubu administration possess homes, properties and other assets abroad that allegedly do not correspond with their reported government salaries.
It further said it had received allegations that some of the officials may hold United States permanent resident status but allegedly failed to pay required U.S. federal income taxes.
However, the firm stressed that the claims had not been substantiated.
“These are allegations, and we have seen no physical evidence to corroborate these claims,” Von Batten-Montague-York said.
The firm said it would therefore assemble a team to examine the allegations and determine whether there is evidence to support them.
It warned that should its investigation substantiate the claims, it would present its findings to relevant authorities in Washington.
“If our findings support the allegations, we will bring our findings to our friends in Congress and the @realDonaldTrump Administration, particularly @USTreasury, @IRSnews, and @USCIS,” the firm said.
According to the firm, the investigation will be conducted pro bono under its U.S. Interests Program.
Von Batten-Montague-York also drew attention to U.S. laws dealing with proceeds of foreign corruption, noting that under 18 U.S.C. §§ 1956 and 1957, stolen or embezzled foreign public funds may trigger federal money-laundering laws when qualifying transactions take place in the United States.
The firm also cited the Global Magnitsky Act, which authorises sanctions against foreign officials involved in significant corruption, including alleged misappropriation of public assets for personal gain and the transfer of corruption proceeds abroad.
The firm, however, did not name any Nigerian government official allegedly involved in the claims and did not provide evidence to substantiate the allegations.
The claims therefore remain allegations pending the outcome of any investigation and the emergence of verifiable evidence.
