Tinubu Asks US Court to Block Release of Records Linked to Past Investigations

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has asked a United States federal court to prevent the release of records held by American law enforcement agencies relating to historical investigations involving him.

Tinubu’s legal team, in a 16-page filing before the US District Court for the District of Columbia, argued that the records should either remain redacted or be withheld on privacy and other legal grounds.

The filing opposes a request by American transparency activist Aaron Greenspan, who is seeking the release of records from the US Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Investigation and Drug Enforcement Administration under the Freedom of Information Act.

Greenspan filed a FOIA lawsuit against several US government agencies in 2023, seeking documents relating to historical investigations involving Tinubu.

Among the records sought are the FBI’s complete file on the Nigerian President and FBI Form 302 interview records covering the period between 1992 and 1993.

The case also involves records connected to a 1993 civil forfeiture proceeding in the US concerning approximately $460,000 associated with Tinubu.

Tinubu has previously denied wrongdoing.

In the latest submission, his lawyers maintained that releasing the requested records could infringe on his privacy rights. They argued that the disclosure of information during the earlier forfeiture proceedings did not constitute public disclosure of the details or outcome of any alleged criminal investigation.

The President’s lawyers consequently urged the court to reject Greenspan’s motion for summary judgment and allow the FBI and DEA to retain existing redactions or withhold portions of the requested records.

Long-running FOIA dispute

The latest development is part of a protracted legal dispute over Greenspan’s efforts to obtain US government records concerning Tinubu.

His FOIA requests, submitted in 2022 and 2023, include documents relating to historical investigations dating back to the late 1980s and early 1990s.

In April 2025, US District Judge Beryl Howell ruled that the FBI and DEA could no longer rely on so-called “Glomar” responses, through which agencies refuse to confirm or deny whether responsive records exist.

Howell directed the agencies to process records responsive to Greenspan’s requests, subject to applicable FOIA exemptions.

The ruling, however, did not establish that Tinubu committed any drug-trafficking offence or amount to a criminal conviction. Rather, it addressed the agencies’ obligations under FOIA and whether the requested records could legally be withheld.

FBI cites sensitive information

Earlier this month, the FBI asked the court for permission to submit sensitive material privately and under seal to justify its decision to withhold portions of the records.

The agency cited FOIA exemptions relating to personal privacy, confidential sources, law-enforcement techniques and information whose disclosure could reasonably be expected to endanger an individual’s life or physical safety.

Tinubu had also previously joined the US Justice Department in seeking additional time to respond to court orders concerning the records. Judge Howell declined to grant the full extension requested by the government.

The court subsequently set a deadline for the government and Tinubu to respond, according to earlier reports.

The latest filing now places Tinubu directly in the ongoing dispute over whether additional records concerning the historical investigations should be made public.

The court is expected to determine whether the FBI and DEA may continue to withhold or redact portions of the records or whether additional documents sought by Greenspan must be released.