A federal judge in Washington D.C. has ordered the FBI and the DEA to release documents related to a 1990s drug trafficking investigation that involved President Bola Tinubu. Legal activist Aaron Greenspan filed the case under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), arguing that the public deserves access to the files.
Judge Beryl Howell, who issued the ruling, emphasized that the public interest outweighs Tinubu’s right to privacy. She also pointed out that the agencies had already acknowledged Tinubu’s link to the investigation involving other individuals, Lee Andrew Edwards, Mueez Akande, and Abiodun Agbele.
Until now, both agencies had refused to confirm whether such records existed. However, the judge rejected their position, stressing that government agencies must not shield public officials from scrutiny. She directed the FBI and DEA to process and release all relevant, non-exempt documents.
Reacting swiftly, Presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga dismissed the ruling as inconsequential. He claimed the referenced documents have already been in the public domain for over 30 years and do not indict Tinubu in any way.
Similarly, Daniel Bwala, who serves as an aide on policy communication, accused opposition groups and the media of sensationalizing the situation. According to him, critics are recycling old narratives to score political points.
Atiku and PDP Demand Full Disclosure
On the other side, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar welcomed the court’s decision. He urged Tinubu to step down if the released documents confirm any wrongdoing. Atiku emphasized that Nigeria deserves a leader with unquestionable integrity.
Meanwhile, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) echoed his call for transparency. Timothy Osadolor, the PDP’s Deputy National Youth Leader, challenged Tinubu to embrace the ruling as a chance to clear his name. He urged the President to demonstrate leadership by cooperating fully with the legal process.
Criticism of Nigerian Judiciary Gains Momentum
Osadolor also criticized the Nigerian judiciary for what he called a lack of courage. He praised the U.S. court for setting a standard and urged Nigerian judges to follow suit by holding even the highest officeholders accountable.
He stated, “Why should the leader of over 230 million people feel the need to hide his past? This ruling gives Nigerians a chance to finally understand who Tinubu really is.”
Court Sets May 2 Deadline
The U.S. court has requested a joint progress report from the involved parties by May 2, 2025. While the FBI and DEA must release non-exempt records, the CIA will not participate. The court upheld the agency’s justification for withholding its documents.
