Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has formally joined the U.S. Justice Department’s request for more time in a legal fight over the release of records linked to allegations of drug trafficking and money laundering, according to a statement by Von Batten Montague York, L.C.
The U.S. lobbying firm said it had received a copy of Tinubu’s court filing, submitted two business days earlier. According to the firm, Tinubu joined the Justice Department’s request for a 10 day extension, but Judge Beryl Howell denied the request.
Von Batten Montague York said it believes Tinubu may seek to use the delay to ask allies in Washington to argue that releasing the records could damage U.S. relations with Nigeria and affect cooperation on issues including terrorism and the killing of Christians in northern Nigeria.
The firm also warned that any U.S. government officials who improperly attempt to interfere with the judicial or Freedom of Information Act process to prevent the lawful release of the records should be exposed and removed from office.
The firm further argued that the U.S. government under President Donald Trump should not protect anyone alleged by the Justice Department to have been connected to a criminal organization involved in smuggling heroin into the United States.
The statement also sought to clarify what it described as confusion over the court process, pointing to two important deadlines in the case.
The first deadline is August 21. According to the firm, the Justice Department is no longer blocking the release of the records and has instead asked for additional time to review the matter and present its position to Judge Howell.
By August 21, the DOJ is expected to tell the court its position on the demand for the release of records concerning the allegations against Tinubu. Tinubu also has until August 21 to formally object to the release of the documents.
The firm described the change as a major development compared with the position of the Justice Department under the Biden administration.
The second key date is September 18. Unless Judge Howell requests additional information or arguments, the court is expected to consider the arguments complete after that date and move toward a ruling on the case.
The timeline is therefore straightforward.
August 21 is the deadline for the Justice Department to state its position.
August 21 is also Tinubu’s deadline to object to the release of the records.
After September 18, Judge Howell is expected to rule unless the court asks for additional information or arguments.
The case has drawn renewed attention because the records involve a long running U.S. investigation into allegations connected to drug trafficking and money laundering. The release of the underlying FBI, DEA and Justice Department files could provide more information about what U.S. investigators found and the basis for the allegations.
