The Presidency on Sunday downplayed the significance of a recent U.S. court order directing the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to release files on President Bola Tinubu’s past investigation, asserting that there is no new revelation to be made.
The directive, issued by Judge Beryl Howell of the U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C., mandates the FBI and DEA to process non-exempt documents related to a 1990s Chicago drug trafficking probe involving Tinubu and three others—Lee Andrew Edwards, Mueez Akande, and Abiodun Agbele—based on Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests filed by U.S. legal researcher Aaron Greenspan.
According to the court ruling, the FBI and DEA had previously issued “Glomar responses,” refusing to confirm or deny the existence of the records. However, the court stated that these responses were unjustified, especially as both agencies had already acknowledged the existence of investigations involving Tinubu.
“The FBI and DEA have both officially confirmed investigations of Tinubu relating to the drug trafficking ring,” the judgment stated, adding that any privacy concerns were outweighed by public interest.
Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, dismissed the development, saying, “There is nothing new to be revealed. The report by Agent Moss of the FBI and the DEA has been in the public space for more than 30 years. The reports did not indict the Nigerian leader.” He also noted that government lawyers were currently reviewing the court ruling.
Greenspan, who runs the transparency platform PlainSite, filed 12 FOIA requests between 2022 and 2023, seeking records related to the drug case and individuals involved. While the court upheld the CIA’s refusal to release documents—due to valid exemptions—it ruled in favor of full disclosure from the FBI and DEA.
Judge Howell emphasized that the agencies failed to justify their secrecy: “They have failed to meet their burden to sustain their Glomar responses,” she wrote. The court ordered all parties to submit a joint status report by May 2, 2025.
Meanwhile, Daniel Bwala, Special Adviser to the President on Policy Communication, also downplayed the matter during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today. He argued that nothing new would be uncovered, stating, “It is intended to create unnecessary conversation… Everything has been in the public domain for ages.”
In contrast, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar welcomed the ruling. In a statement through his media aide, Paul Ibe, Atiku stressed that anyone occupying the office of President must not have a tainted character. He stated that if the released records indicate Tinubu’s ineligibility, the President should step aside for the sake of Nigeria’s global image.
Atiku highlighted the importance of full disclosure regarding the alleged forfeiture of funds linked to drug trafficking and Tinubu’s academic credentials. “This is not just about Nigeria. This is the foremost Black nation in the world—the most populous,” he said. “It’s a welcome development so we can clear the air about the issues that have been raised.”
He further emphasized that the matter goes beyond politics, stating that transparency and integrity in leadership are essential, especially for a country with Nigeria’s global influence.
