Washington D.C. – A U.S. federal judge ordered the FBI to release documents concerning Nigerian President Bola Tinubu. The Nigerian Presidency responded quickly, stating the upcoming release of Tinubu FBI records contains old information and does not threaten the president. This court order results from a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) lawsuit.
Judge Beryl Howell of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia issued the ruling. It followed legal action by U.S. citizen Aaron Greenspan. He argued the FBI improperly withheld files about possible federal investigations into President Tinubu and associate Abiodun Agbele. Judge Howell found the FBI’s justification for secrecy unconvincing, calling it “neither logical nor plausible.” The decision compels the FBI to make these specific Tinubu FBI records public.
Presidency Asserts No New Revelations
President Tinubu’s spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, addressed the court’s decision by minimizing its impact. He stated the information in the files is already widely known. “The report by Agent Moss of the FBI and the DEA report have been in the public space for more than 30 years,” Onanuga said. He asserted these historical documents do not implicate President Tinubu. This statement comes amid public awareness of Tinubu forfeiting $460,000 to the U.S. government in 1993, funds authorities linked to drug proceeds at the time.
In a public statement on X (formerly Twitter), Onanuga repeated this position: “Journalists have sought the Presidency’s reaction to the ruling… ordering the US FBI and DEA to release reports connected with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Our response is as follows: The reports did not indict the Nigerian leader. The lawyers are examining the ruling.” The Presidency maintains that the release of the Tinubu FBI records will not reveal damaging or new information.
[…] in the lower area are still suffering. They have not started having the benefit of the changes President Bola Tinubu has made,” Kalu asserted. He drew a direct line between the everyday struggles of the populace […]