“We Have Settled the US on Tinubu Drug Deals” – American Lobbyist Says FG is Boosting

Fresh allegations have emerged over claims that the United States has been “settled” to prevent the release of FBI and DEA records relating to President Bola Tinubu.

The allegations were contained in a statement attributed to Von Batten Montague York and circulating on social media on September 14, 2026.

The organisation claimed that highly placed Nigerians told it the Presidency believes the US will not release the records.

It further alleged that the Presidency expects Tinubu to meet US President Donald Trump during the United Nations General Assembly because the Americans have been “settled.”

Von Batten Montague York, however, acknowledged that it had not independently verified the claims.

The phrase “settled the Americans,” according to the organisation, was being used in the Nigerian sense to suggest that something of value may have been provided in return for a favourable outcome.

The allegations have attracted attention because Nigeria and the United States are reportedly pursuing a minerals agreement expected to be signed during the UN General Assembly.

The organisation said the timing of the proposed deal raises questions about transparency and the appearance of a possible connection between the agreement and unrelated political or legal issues.

It also referred to an alleged unsolicited offer of $3 million from an All Progressives Congress member said to be connected to Tinubu.

However, the organisation stressed that it had no evidence linking the alleged $3 million offer to the Nigeria-US minerals agreement.

It said the combination of the allegations, the proposed minerals deal and the reported push for a Tinubu-Trump meeting prompted it to alert the Trump administration.

The organisation argued that the matter warrants scrutiny because of the alleged FBI and DEA records, the proposed presidential meeting and expanding US-Nigeria cooperation in the minerals sector.

There is, however, no independently verified evidence establishing that Nigeria offered mineral resources, money or any other benefit to the US in exchange for withholding Tinubu-related records or arranging a meeting with Trump.

The claims therefore remain allegations and have not been independently substantiated.

The controversy nevertheless places the proposed Nigeria-US minerals agreement under increased scrutiny, particularly over transparency, timing and the need to avoid any appearance of a link between economic cooperation and unrelated political or legal matters.