U.S. Court Sets New Date for Motion on Release of Tinubu’s FBI, CIA Records

The U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia has scheduled a new date to advance the motion concerning the release of President Bola Tinubu’s records held by U.S. security agencies, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). These records are anticipated to shed light on longstanding controversies regarding Mr. Tinubu’s background, including the name, age, and gender under which he entered the United States.

In 2022, anti-corruption campaigner Aaron Greenspan and Nigerian journalist David Hundeyin filed a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request seeking the release of Mr. Tinubu’s case files, particularly those related to a 1993 narcotics-trafficking case in which Mr. Tinubu forfeited $460,000 to the U.S. government.

Last September, the FBI approved Mr. Greenspan’s request to release Mr. Tinubu’s records, totaling 2,500 pages, with plans to release the documents in monthly batches of 500 pages starting in October 2023. However, Mr. Tinubu opposed the release, arguing that making the records public would “adversely affect” him.

Judge Beryl Howell, in November 2023, allowed Mr. Tinubu to intervene and oppose the release of his records, acknowledging his right to protect his interests.

On June 6, Judge Howell instructed the opposing parties—Mr. Greenspan and Mr. Tinubu—to submit a joint status report by September 3, 2024. This report should indicate whether any disputes remain and propose a schedule for further proceedings.

“Upon consideration of the parties’ joint status report, directing the parties to submit another joint status report by September 3, 2024, advising the court whether any disputes remain between the parties, and if so, proposing a schedule to govern further proceedings,” Judge Howell stated.