Tinubu Challenges Release of US Investigation Records

Wole Afolabi, SAN, legal counsel to President Bola Tinubu, articulated the president's legal challenge against the release of records held by US law enforcement agencies concerning historical investigations involving him. Afolabi stated that the challenge is within Tinubu’s rights under US law, asserting that the allegations are speculative and not covered by the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).

The ongoing legal battle stems from a FOIA lawsuit filed by American transparency activist Aaron Greenspan against several US government agencies, including the Department of Justice, FBI, and DEA, seeking access to records linked to investigations from the early 1990s, particularly a civil forfeiture proceeding involving approximately $460,000. Tinubu has denied any wrongdoing.

The FBI has indicated it possesses relevant records and requested to submit some information privately, citing concerns over law enforcement techniques and individual safety. Tinubu’s legal team has filed a submission to reject the request for record release, arguing that the documents are protected under privacy provisions of the US FOIA and Privacy Act.