US Forfeiture Case: Tinubu Was Never Charged, Tried or Convicted – Aloy Ejimakor
Human rights lawyer and constitutional advocate Aloy Ejimakor has defended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over the long-standing controversy surrounding a civil asset forfeiture case in the United States, insisting that the Nigerian leader was never charged with any criminal offence, tried in court or convicted.
Ejimakor stated that public discussions about the matter have often blurred the distinction between a civil forfeiture proceeding and a criminal prosecution. According to him, available court records show that while a civil forfeiture action was instituted, there was no criminal indictment, prosecution or conviction against Tinubu in any United States court.
The lawyer argued that the legal position is clear and should not be misrepresented for political purposes. He maintained that a civil forfeiture case does not amount to a finding of criminal guilt, stressing that such proceedings differ significantly from criminal trials in both legal standards and procedures.
Ejimakor urged political actors and members of the public to rely on verified court records and established legal principles when discussing the issue. He warned against spreading misinformation capable of misleading citizens or distorting public understanding of judicial processes.
His comments come amid renewed public debate over the US forfeiture case as political stakeholders continue to exchange views ahead of the 2027 general elections. The issue has remained a subject of political discourse, with supporters and critics of the President offering differing interpretations of the legal proceedings.
The lawyer reiterated that public commentary on legal matters should be guided by facts, judicial records and the rule of law rather than political narratives, emphasizing that the distinction between civil and criminal proceedings remains fundamental under the law.
