The Presidency on Sunday downplayed the significance of a recent U.S. court ruling compelling the FBI and DEA to release files linked to President Bola Tinubu’s past, insisting that no new revelations would emerge.
The ruling, issued by Judge Beryl Howell of the U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C., mandates the agencies to process and release non-exempt documents related to a 1990s Chicago drug investigation that involved Tinubu and three others: Lee Andrew Edwards, Mueez Akande, and Abiodun Agbele.
According to the court, “The FBI and DEA have both officially confirmed investigations of Tinubu relating to the drug trafficking ring,” adding that, “privacy interests are outweighed by the public interest in the release of such information.”
However, the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, dismissed the ruling as inconsequential.
“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 said.
Onanuga added that government legal teams are currently reviewing the U.S. court’s decision, but reiterated that the documents contain no new information or concerns regarding President Tinubu.
The U.S. court ruling followed multiple Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests filed by American legal researcher Aaron Greenspan between 2022 and 2023. Greenspan, founder of the transparency platform PlainSite, requested files from the FBI, DEA, and CIA relating to the Chicago-based narcotics operation.
Previously, the FBI and DEA responded with “Glomar responses,” neither confirming nor denying the existence of records. But Judge Howell ruled that such responses were unjustified in this case.
Meanwhile, Special Adviser to the President on Policy Communication, Daniel Bwala, speaking on Politics Today on Channels Television, echoed Onanuga’s noted that “Nothing’s new at all. So, let’s wait for the 2nd of May because there is actually nothing that they are seeking for which has not been released. I mean it is intended to create unnecessary conversation as if there is an issue on the table,” he said.
“So, there is nothing actually in what was published in the ruling of the court that is new. Everything has been in the public domain for ages. But you know, the opposition will want to feast on it because in the absence of better ideas, that is the only thing they can cling on to, in the hope that they will probably misinterpret the public.”
However, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar welcomed the ruling. Atiku, who ran against Tinubu in the 2023 presidential election, said any findings that challenge Tinubu’s eligibility should prompt his resignation for the sake of Nigeria’s integrity on the global stage.
“Anyone occupying the Presidency must not be of tainted character,” Atiku said through his media aide, Paul Ibe. He stressed the importance of full transparency, especially concerning allegations of asset forfeiture and academic records.
The former Vice President stated: “What it means is that the efforts of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar will not be in vain, and what will be uncovered is His Excellency’s attempt to ascertain exactly what transpired – the circumstances surrounding the forfeiture of thousands of dollars allegedly linked to drug trafficking—and the issue concerning the Chicago State University certificate.
“The reason is clear, the matter of the presidency of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, whoever occupies that position must not be someone of tainted character.
“The government must ensure full disclosure. It is important, Nigerians need to know the background, academic records, age, state of origin, and the schools the leader attended.”
Atiku emphasized the global weight of the case, particularly due to Nigeria’s role as a leading voice in the Black world.
“The fact that this issue concerns the government and the occupant of the office makes it even more significant. This is not just about Nigeria.
“This is the foremost Black nation in the world—the most populous. And so, we mean something to people around the world, especially the global Black community.
“It’s actually about time. And it’s a welcome development so we can clear the air about the issues that have been raised. Well, it’s not even just about future elections,” he stated.
