According to a report by Daily Post, on Wednesday, September 2, United States-based policy advisory and lobbying firm, Von Batten-Montague-York, has alleged that it was offered $3 million to discontinue an alleged drug trafficking investigation involving Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu.

The firm disclosed the allegation in a statement published on its verified X handle on Wednesday, where it claimed that the offer was made by a highly placed individual who, according to information available to the firm, has links to President Tinubu.

Von Batten-Montague-York said the alleged offer was made alongside an invitation to attend a confidential meeting in London.

The firm claimed that the purpose of the offer was to convince its leader, Dr Von Batten, to stop its campaign relating to what it described as President Tinubu’s alleged heroin-trafficking records.

The policy advisory and lobbying firm stated that Dr Von Batten rejected the alleged financial offers and did not agree to the proposed meeting.

It further claimed that he kept copies of the communications relating to the alleged offer.

According to the firm, after the offer was rejected, it reached out to members of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar’s campaign to establish the identity and relationship of the individual who allegedly made the offer.

The firm said the inquiry was intended to determine the nature of the person’s connection with President Tinubu and to understand the circumstances surrounding the alleged attempt to influence its activities.

Von Batten-Montague-York also alleged that a smear campaign against Dr Von Batten started after the offers were turned down.

The firm said it would not allow the allegations against its leader to damage his reputation or undermine its work.

The firm stated that it had decided to provide the alleged $3 million offer, as well as the communications connected to it, to the United States Department of Justice, DOJ, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, FBI.

According to Von Batten-Montague-York, submitting the information to the relevant American authorities would enable them to independently examine the matter and take whatever action they consider appropriate.

The firm maintained that its decision to reject the alleged offer was based on its position that its campaign should not be abandoned because of financial inducement.

In its statement, the firm directly addressed President Tinubu, the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, and individuals it described as their associates.

The firm wrote: “A few days ago, Dr Von Batten received unsolicited offers of $3 million, along with an invitation to a confidential meeting in London, from a highly placed individual whom we have been informed is connected to Nigerian President Bola Tinubu.

Von Batten-Montague-York said it would now submit the alleged communications to the DOJ and FBI, allowing the authorities to review the circumstances surrounding the alleged offer and determine whether further investigation is necessary.

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