Tribunal Dismisses Claims of Tinubu’s Drug Conviction

In a significant ruling today, the Presidential Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Abuja declared that President Tinubu was not convicted of drug-related charges in the United States of America.

This decision comes as a blow to the Labour Party and its presidential candidate, Peter Obi, who had alleged that President Tinubu had a criminal record in the United States.

The five-man panel, led by Justice Haruna Tsammani, emphasized that the petitioners failed to provide any concrete evidence to substantiate their claims. They were unable to establish that President Tinubu had been detained or convicted for any specific offense, as alleged in their petition.

Justice Tsammani clarified that the fine imposed on President Tinubu by a United States court was related to a civil forfeiture proceeding, not a criminal conviction. This distinction is crucial, as the court held that both President Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettma were qualified to contest the last presidential election.

The tribunal’s ruling was rooted in the fact that the fine imposed by the US court did not meet the criteria for fraud or dishonesty, as outlined in Section 137(1)(d) of the Nigerian Constitution. Consequently, the allegations against President Tinubu were deemed unsubstantiated, and the tribunal cleared him of any drug-related charges.

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This judgment marks a pivotal moment in the presidential election petition, as it dispels the cloud of suspicion surrounding President Tinubu’s eligibility to hold office. It reaffirms that no record of criminal arrest or conviction exists against him, bolstering his position as the duly elected President of Nigeria.

The decision has generated reactions from various quarters, with many commending the tribunal for its impartiality and adherence to the rule of law. President Tinubu’s legal team expressed satisfaction with the verdict, emphasizing that it affirms the integrity of the nation’s electoral process.