The Nigerian Presidency has downplayed a recent U.S. court ruling ordering the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to release documents linked to past investigations involving President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Responding via social media, Presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga dismissed the development, stating that: “There is nothing new to reveal. The FBI and DEA reports have been in the public space for over 30 years and do not indict President Tinubu.”
He added that legal experts within the Presidency are currently reviewing the decision.
The ruling was issued by Judge Beryl Howell of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, following a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) lawsuit filed by American activist Aaron Greenspan. The suit accused several U.S. law enforcement agencies of withholding investigative records related to Tinubu and four others allegedly linked to a 1990s heroin trafficking ring in Chicago.
Initially, the FBI, DEA, IRS, CIA, and the U.S. Department of State responded with “Glomar” denials—neither confirming nor denying the existence of the documents. Judge Howell found the responses by the FBI and DEA to be improper and ordered them lifted.
Among the documents cited in Greenspan’s filings is a 1993 affidavit by IRS Special Agent Kevin Moss, which formed the basis of a civil forfeiture case. The records showed that Tinubu voluntarily forfeited $460,000 to U.S. authorities after the funds were suspected to be proceeds from narcotics trafficking. While no criminal charges were filed, the forfeiture sparked debate during Nigeria’s 2023 presidential election.
Opposition candidates Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi referenced the case in their legal petitions, but the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal ultimately upheld Tinubu’s election victory.
Judge Howell emphasized that public interest outweighed any claims of privacy or secrecy, criticizing the agencies for failing to justify continued confidentiality. However, the CIA was permitted to maintain its position due to lack of evidence it possessed relevant records.
A joint report from the other agencies—excluding the CIA—is expected by May 2, 2025, to determine the next steps in the case.
Despite the renewed attention, Tinubu has consistently denied any wrongdoing, asserting he was neither indicted nor prosecuted in connection with the forfeiture.
