Tinubu asks US court to block FBI records

Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has asked a US federal court to block the release of records held by American law enforcement agencies, relating to historical investigations involving him, according to court documents and his lawyers.

Tinubu’s legal team filed a 16-page submission before the US District Court for the District of Columbia opposing a request by American transparency activist Aaron Greenspan for the release of records held by the US Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).

Greenspan filed a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) lawsuit in 2023 seeking records relating to historical investigations involving Tinubu. Among the documents sought are the FBI’s entire file on Tinubu and FBI Form 302 interview records from 1992 and 1993.

The case also concerns records linked to a 1993 civil forfeiture proceeding in the US involving about $460,000 associated with Tinubu. The Nigerian President has denied wrongdoing.

In their latest filing, Tinubu’s lawyers argued that releasing the requested records could violate his privacy rights. They urged the court to deny Greenspan’s motion for summary judgment and allow the FBI and DEA to maintain redactions or withholdings applied to the records.

In April 2025, US District Judge Beryl Howell ruled that the FBI and DEA could no longer rely on “Glomar” responses, under which agencies refuse to confirm or deny the existence of requested records. Howell ordered the agencies to process non-exempt records responsive to Greenspan’s requests.

The FBI has also asked the court for permission to submit sensitive information under seal, saying some information was protected under FOIA exemptions covering privacy, confidential sources, law-enforcement techniques, and information whose disclosure could endanger the life of an individual.

The court is expected to determine whether the FBI and DEA may retain their redactions and withholdings or whether further records sought by Greenspan must be released.

SOURCE: AA