Why CRPA Called for Tinubu’s Arrest

The Centre for Reform and Public Advocacy (CRPA) in Nigeria has asked a Federal High Court for an order compelling the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) to arrest and prosecute a presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu, over drug-related and money laundering allegations.

The plaintiff also asked the court to make the same order against the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), who is the second defendant in the suit.

CRPA, in the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2237/2022, claimed that the NDLEA has a duty by law to arrest and prosecute Tinubu based on a 1993 judgment by a United States of America District Court that ordered the forfeiture of funds belonging to him.

The suit read, ‘There are reasonable grounds to suspect that Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu committed an offense under the money laundering act in that on October 4, 1993, the United States District Court, Northern District of Illinois, Eastern Division in case number 93c4483 made an order of forfeiture of the sum of $460,000.00 against Bola Ahmed Tinubu’.

The CSO said the suit became necessary after the NDLEA and AGF refused to respond to its letters demanding the prosecution of Tinubu based on the U.S. court ruling.

The advocacy group submitted that section three of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015 supports its suit against the defendant.

‘A suspect or defendant alleged or charged with committing an offense established by an Act of the National Assembly shall be arrested, investigated, inquired into, tried or dealt with according to the provisions of this Act, except otherwise provided under this Act’, the CSO noted.

The CSO also argued that section four of the NDLEA Act imposes a duty of a public nature on the defendants to act on the allegation.

Photo source: Bola Ahmed Tinubu

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