Nigerians are calling on U.S. President Donald Trump to authorize the release of FBI case files concerning Nigerian President Bola Tinubu.
The appeal follows Trump’s recent executive order designating drug cartels as foreign terrorist organizations.
Tinubu’s alleged ties to heroin trafficking and money laundering in the 1990s have resurfaced, with court documents revealing a settlement in which Tinubu forfeited over $460,000 in suspected drug proceeds to U.S. authorities.
Public scrutiny over these allegations has grown, particularly given the refusal of the Biden administration to release the full case files. Nigerians argue that withholding these records undermines transparency and raises questions about leadership integrity in the fight against international crime.
Federal agencies, including the FBI, CIA, and DEA, have resisted public calls for the release of Tinubu’s case files, citing national security and privacy concerns. In legal filings, these agencies invoked the Glomar response, refusing to confirm or deny the existence of specific records. They argued that disclosing such information could jeopardize U.S. privacy interests and international security efforts.
Aaron Greenspan, a plaintiff in a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) lawsuit seeking the release of the files, had faced opposition from these agencies. The CIA, FBI, and DEA issued a joint statement arguing that unredacted case files related to Tinubu could compromise U.S. operations abroad. Similarly, the DEA justified its stance, stating, “We oppose the full, unredacted release of the DEA’s Bola Tinubu heroin trafficking investigation records because… they do not have a right to know what their president is up to.”
Tinubu’s international reputation has faced challenges, despite his subsequent political success, his alleged criminal history continues to shadow his presidency.
Trump’s executive order, which requires actionable recommendations within 14 days to combat cartel influence, has amplified demands for transparency. Nigerians argue that releasing Tinubu’s full case files could reinforce the global commitment to leadership accountability and anti-crime efforts.
As the U.S. sharpens its focus on transnational threats, the intersection of Tinubu’s past with ongoing anti-crime strategies highlights the complexity of global politics and law enforcement.
