Presidency Responds Calmly to US Court Order on Tinubu Records as Atiku Calls for Openness
The Presidency has dismissed any implications arising from a recent United States court directive instructing the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to release documents connected to a historical investigation involving President Bola Ahmed Tinubu
The directive, issued by Judge Beryl Howell of the U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C., stems from Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests submitted by legal researcher Aaron Greenspan. The court ordered the FBI and DEA to identify and process non-exempt records linked to a 1990s drug trafficking investigation in Chicago, in which Tinubu and three others—Lee Andrew Edwards, Mueez Akande, and Abiodun Agbele—were allegedly mentioned.
According to the court, both agencies had previously issued “Glomar responses,” refusing to confirm or deny the existence of the requested records. However, Judge Howell ruled that this approach was no longer justified, given that the agencies had effectively acknowledged the presence of such investigations.
In response, Presidential Adviser on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, maintained that the case holds no new revelations, asserting that the relevant reports have been publicly accessible for over three decades. “There is nothing here that hasn’t been in the public domain for years. No indictment was made against the President,” Onanuga stated.
Meanwhile, legal teams representing the Nigerian government are reviewing the U.S. court’s decision, although they insist the released information will not affect the President’s credibility.
Opposition Reacts
In contrast, former Vice President and 2023 presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has welcomed the court’s decision. Through his media aide, Paul Ibe, Atiku said the outcome supports his longstanding call for transparency regarding Tinubu’s past, including allegations of financial forfeitures and educational background.
Atiku argued that the release of these records is critical to preserving Nigeria’s global reputation. “Anyone occupying the office of the President must have an untarnished record. The facts emerging must be addressed thoroughly,” he said, stressing that accountability in leadership is non-negotiable.
He added that the public deserves full disclosure on matters relating to the President’s past, including academic qualifications, legal records, and personal background.
PDP Demands Clarity
Echoing Atiku’s sentiments, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) urged Tinubu to embrace the process and allow the truth to emerge. PDP Deputy National Youth Leader, Timothy Osadolor, said this was an opportunity for the President to demonstrate transparency.
Speaking to The Daily Courier, Osadolor remarked, “Why should the President of over 230 million Nigerians seek to obscure his past? The U.S. court’s ruling reflects a commitment to transparency that we hope the Nigerian judiciary will emulate.”
He called on Tinubu to allow the legal process to take its course without further attempts to appeal or undermine the decision, adding, “If there’s nothing to hide, this should be seen as a chance to clear the air. But if there are issues, now is the time to come clean.”
Judgment Summary
Judge Howell, in her April 8 ruling, found that the public interest in the case outweighed any privacy concerns raised by the agencies. The judgment concluded that the FBI and DEA must now process and release applicable documents, while upholding the CIA’s right to withhold its own records under existing legal exemptions.
The agencies are expected to file a progress report on the release of documents by May 2, 2025, as ordered by the court.
The development continues to generate significant attention both locally and internationally, with critics and supporters closely monitoring the situation ahead of the next legal milestone.
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Presidency Responds Calmly to US Court Order on Tinubu Records as Atiku Calls for Openness.