Nigerian president asks US court to block drug probe records

Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has formally petitioned a U.S. federal court to prevent the release of records related to historical investigations into his activities, according to newly filed court documents and his legal representatives. The request comes amid ongoing litigation initiated by American transparency advocate Aaron Greenspan, who has pursued multiple Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests aimed at obtaining documentation from U.S. law enforcement agencies. Tinubu's legal team, consisting of attorneys Christopher W. Carmichael, Victor P. Henderson, and Oluwole O. Afolabi, submitted a 16-page filing with the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. In the filing, they argue that the requested records, specifically the FBI’s complete file on Tinubu and FBI Form 302 interview records from 1992 to 1993, should either be withheld or redacted. The team maintains that releasing these materials would infringe upon Tinubu’s privacy rights and could expose sensitive information not previously disclosed to the public. Greenspan originally filed his FOIA lawsuit in 2023, targeting the U.S. Department of Justice, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Drug Enforcement Administration. His initial requests sought records tied to historical investigations involving Tinubu, including those connected to a 1993 civil forfeiture proceeding in the United States. During that proceeding, approximately $460,000 was linked to Tinubu, though he has consistently denied any wrongdoing. In April 2025, U.S. District Judge Beryl Howell issued a ruling that compelled the FBI and DEA to stop using “Glomar” responses, which allow agencies to avoid confirming or denying the existence of requested records, to justify withholding information. The judge ordered the agencies to process nonexempt records in response to Greenspan’s requests. However, she made clear that her ruling did not imply that Tinubu had committed a drug-trafficking offense or been convicted of any crime. Instead, the decision focused solely on the agencies' compliance with FOIA requirements. Earlier this month, the FBI sought judicial approval to submit certain sensitive information privately and under seal, explaining its rationale for withholding parts of the requested records. The agency cited protections under FOIA exemptions, including privacy interests, confidentiality of sources, law enforcement methods, and potential risks to individuals’ safety. Anadolu News Agency previously reported that Tinubu had also joined a request by the U.S. Justice Department for additional time to comply with the court’s orders regarding the records. Judge Howell rejected the full extension sought by the government but set a deadline for both the government and Tinubu to provide their responses. The latest filing positions Tinubu at the heart of the dispute over whether further records related to past investigations should be made public. The court is anticipated to rule on whether the FBI and DEA can continue to redact or withhold specific information or if additional records must be disclosed to Greenspan. As the legal proceedings unfold, the focus remains on balancing transparency under the FOIA with the protection of personal privacy and operational security. The court’s final determination will likely shape the extent to which historical investigative records involving Tinubu become accessible to the public.