- Court Ruling: A US District Court in Washington, D.C. has ordered the FBI and DEA to release records related to President Bola Tinubu’s alleged links to a drug trafficking network.
- FOIA Requests: American researcher Aaron Greenspan submitted 12 Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests between 2022 and 2023, seeking information on Tinubu and others connected to a Chicago-based heroin trafficking ring in the early 1990s.
- Glomar Responses: The FBI and DEA initially refused to confirm or deny the existence of such records, but the court ruled that these responses were improper and ordered the agencies to search for and release non-exempt materials.
Judge Beryl Howell ruled that the FBI and DEA had failed to demonstrate any valid privacy interest that would justify withholding confirmation of an investigation involving Tinubu. The court found that both agencies had previously confirmed his connection to the drug trafficking probe, and thus, public interest outweighed any privacy concerns.
The ruling means that the FBI and DEA must now process and release any non-exempt documents related to Tinubu’s alleged involvement in the drug trafficking ring. The agencies have until May 2, 2025, to file a joint status report updating the court on their compliance with the order and resolution of any outstanding issues in the case.
The controversy surrounds allegations of Tinubu’s involvement in a Chicago-based heroin trafficking ring in the early 1990s. The court’s decision is seen as a significant development in the case, as it could potentially shed more light on the allegations and Tinubu’s involvement.
