On April 8, 2025, a U.S. federal judge ordered the FBI and DEA to release investigative records related to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s alleged involvement in a 1990s drug trafficking case. The ruling stems from a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) lawsuit filed by American transparency advocate Aaron Greenspan, who sought documents concerning Tinubu and others linked to a Chicago heroin ring. Judge Beryl Howell criticized the agencies’ refusal to confirm or deny the existence of such records, deeming their stance “neither logical nor plausible.”
The case has reignited discussions about Tinubu’s past, particularly a 1993 incident where he reportedly forfeited $460,000 to U.S. authorities over alleged connections to narcotics proceeds. While Tinubu was not criminally charged, the new court order mandates the release of pertinent records, emphasizing the public’s right to information.
This development may have significant political implications in Nigeria, as it brings renewed scrutiny to President Tinubu’s history and could influence public perception.
