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A United States-based policy advisory and lobbying firm, Von Batten-Montague-York, has claimed that an individual it described as being linked to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu offered $3 million to persuade the firm to halt its activities concerning allegations about the Nigerian president’s past.

The firm made the claim in a statement published on its verified X account on Wednesday, alleging that the purported offer was accompanied by an invitation to a confidential meeting in London.

Von Batten-Montague-York said its leader, Dr Von Batten, rejected the proposal and retained copies of the communications relating to the alleged offer.

The firm did not identify the individual it claimed made the offer, nor did it provide publicly verifiable evidence establishing that the person was acting on behalf of President Tinubu.

Firm alleges $3m inducement

According to the statement, the alleged approach came from what the firm described as a “highly placed individual” who it said it had been told was connected to the President.

The firm alleged that the purpose of the proposed payment was to persuade Dr Von Batten to discontinue the organisation’s campaign concerning allegations it has previously raised about President Tinubu.

“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,” the firm said.

It added that it viewed the alleged offer as an attempt to influence its activities.

“We believe these offers were an attempt to persuade Dr Von Batten to end our campaign concerning President Tinubu’s alleged heroin-trafficking records,” the statement said.

The firm said it rejected the alleged proposal, adding that it had preserved the communications surrounding the purported approach.

Firm says it investigated alleged link

Von Batten-Montague-York said it subsequently sought to establish the identity and political connections of the individual allegedly behind the approach.

It claimed that it contacted members of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential campaign of former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar as part of its efforts to determine whether the individual had any relationship with President Tinubu.

The firm also alleged that negative publicity targeting Dr Von Batten emerged after the purported offer was rejected.

It did not, however, provide independent evidence in the statement to substantiate the alleged link between the individual and the President or to establish that the subsequent criticism was connected to the alleged offer.

Documents to be submitted to US authorities

The lobbying firm said it plans to submit what it described as the relevant communications and details of the alleged $3 million proposal to United States authorities.

It specifically mentioned the US Department of Justice and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

The firm said the move would enable the appropriate authorities to independently examine the circumstances surrounding the alleged approach.

The organisation also directed its message at President Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), saying it had rejected the purported offer.

Allegation remains unverified

The claim comes against the backdrop of longstanding political and legal disputes surrounding allegations concerning President Tinubu’s past, including claims that have previously been raised in political campaigns and legal proceedings.

However, the latest allegation by Von Batten-Montague-York has not been independently verified.

The firm has not publicly identified the alleged intermediary or produced evidence confirming that the person was authorised to act for or on behalf of President Tinubu.

There was also no response from the Presidency, President Tinubu, the APC or any identified representative contained in the statement issued by the firm.