Alleged Drug Trafficking: FBI Explains Why Tinubu’s Records Can’t Be Released

The U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has asked a federal court in Washington, D.C., for permission to keep some records connected to an old investigation involving Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu from public disclosure.

The development comes amid a long-running Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) case seeking records concerning allegations surrounding a 1990s narcotics investigation involving Tinubu.

Why is the FBI withholding the records?

In a filing dated August 20, 2026, the FBI asked the court to allow it to submit a confidential, ex parte and in-camera declaration explaining why certain information should remain withheld.

An ex parte, in-camera declaration means the FBI would provide its detailed explanation privately to the judge rather than placing the sensitive information on the public court record.

According to the FBI, it cannot publicly disclose the full basis for applying certain exemptions under the U.S. Freedom of Information Act. The agency specifically cited FOIA Exemptions 7(E) and 7(F).

1. Protecting law-enforcement techniques

The FBI says disclosure of some of the information could reveal investigative methods and techniques used by law-enforcement agencies.

Such information can be withheld under FOIA when releasing it could reasonably be expected to undermine law-enforcement investigations or allow individuals to circumvent investigative procedures.

2. Protecting people's safety

The FBI also cited concerns that releasing certain information could endanger the lives or physical safety of individuals.

The agency therefore wants to explain the sensitive details directly to the judge rather than publicly revealing information that it considers potentially dangerous.

The case involves Aaron Greenspan

The plaintiff in the case is Aaron Greenspan, founder of the transparency platform PlainSite. Greenspan has been seeking records from U.S. agencies relating to the historical investigation.

The case has generated significant attention because the requested records concern a 1990s Chicago narcotics investigation and allegations involving Tinubu.

A U.S. court has previously ordered federal agencies to produce responsive, non-exempt records, with the dispute continuing over what information can legally be withheld.

What about the $460,000 forfeiture?

The controversy also relates to a 1993 civil forfeiture proceeding in the United States in which Tinubu surrendered approximately $460,000 to U.S. authorities.

Importantly, reports on the case note that Tinubu was not criminally convicted of drug trafficking in the United States. The forfeiture proceeding is distinct from a criminal conviction.

That distinction is important because claims that Tinubu was "convicted" of drug trafficking should not be presented as established fact.

Court deadline

The FBI's latest filing asks the court for permission to submit its confidential declaration. According to reports on the filing, if the court grants the request, the FBI would provide its explanation before August 28, 2026.

The development follows several rounds of litigation and delays surrounding the release of the records. Earlier this month, the case again came under scrutiny after the court imposed deadlines concerning the disclosure of records held by the FBI and Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).

What does this mean?

The FBI's decision does not by itself establish that the allegations against Tinubu are true or false. Rather, the agency is arguing that some information in its possession falls within legal FOIA exemptions and that revealing the details publicly could expose investigative techniques or put people at risk.

The court will ultimately determine whether the FBI's justification for withholding the information is sufficient.

For now, the key issue is not simply whether records exist, but which portions of those records are legally protected from disclosure and whether the FBI has adequately justified withholding them.

Bottom line

The latest development adds another chapter to the long-running dispute over U.S. records connected to allegations surrounding Tinubu's activities in the United States in the 1990s. The FBI says some information cannot safely or legally be explained on the public record because doing so could reveal law-enforcement techniques and potentially endanger individuals.

Editor’s note: Allegations of drug trafficking involving President Tinubu remain allegations. The existence of an FBI investigation or a civil forfeiture proceeding should not be presented as proof of a criminal conviction.