The Presidency has reacted firmly to the recent ruling by a U.S. court that directed the FBI and DEA to release files linked to a decades-old investigation involving President Bola Tinubu. Officials say the reports are not new and contain no evidence that could implicate the Nigerian leader in any criminal wrongdoing.
Responding to the judgment delivered last Tuesday by Judge Beryl Howell of the United States District Court in Washington D.C., the Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to the President, Bayo Onanuga, described the ruling as inconsequential. He noted in a post on social media that the documents being requested had existed in the public domain for over three decades. According to Onanuga, the reports from both the FBI and the DEA did not find Tinubu guilty of any crime. He added that legal experts were reviewing the court’s decision but stressed that the judgment changes nothing about Tinubu’s political or legal position.
The court ruling followed a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request made by American activist Aaron Greenspan. Judge Howell granted the request in part, stating that past public acknowledgments made during a 1993 civil forfeiture case made it impossible for U.S. agencies to continue denying whether records existed.
That forfeiture case involved Tinubu and led to the U.S. government seizing money from his American bank accounts. The court determined that this prior disclosure effectively overrode the long-standing policy of secrecy, referred to as the “Glomar response.” However, the CIA was allowed to maintain its position of neither confirming nor denying its records, with the court agreeing that doing otherwise could endanger national security.
While public interest around the case has surged, the Presidency insists there is no scandal. Officials remain confident that no new revelations will emerge from the released files and continue to dismiss any speculation about Tinubu’s past being a legal or political liability.
Amidst the controversy, President Tinubu held talks in Paris with Massad Boulos, who served as a senior advisor on African affairs in former U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration. The meeting was focused on building a stronger economic and security partnership between Nigeria, the United States and the African continent. According to Onanuga, the discussions were guided by mutual respect and a shared interest in prosperity and regional stability. The U.S. delegation expressed a strong desire to deepen ties with Nigeria through expanded investment in infrastructure, energy, and job creation, while also collaborating on peace and security efforts in regions like the Sahel and eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.
In a separate development, the Presidency has distanced itself from numerous billboards promoting Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima for the 2027 elections. The banners have been spotted in different parts of the country, fueling speculation of an early campaign. Onanuga clarified that the President and Vice President are grateful for the continued support of their followers but have not approved or encouraged any early political promotion. He emphasized that no individual or group has been given the authority to launch a 2027 campaign on behalf of the President using any media format. The Presidency has urged those behind the billboard campaigns to stop their activities immediately, warning that such actions are premature and potentially illegal until the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) announces the official election timetable.
As the story continues to unfold, the Presidency remains focused on governance and strengthening Nigeria’s global partnerships rather than getting entangled in distractions from the past or premature political maneuvering.
