Presidency Dismisses US Court Order on Tinubu’s Drug Case as ‘Nothing New’

The Nigerian Presidency has downplayed the significance of a recent U.S. court ruling ordering the release of decades-old investigative files related to President Bola Tinubu, insisting the documents hold no new revelations and contain no incriminating evidence.

The ruling, delivered by Judge Beryl Howell of the U.S. District Court in Washington D.C., instructed the FBI and DEA to stop withholding records concerning Tinubu’s alleged involvement in a 1990s heroin trafficking and money laundering investigation. The decision followed a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request filed by American activist Aaron Greenspan.

Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, responded to the development on Sunday via a post on X (formerly Twitter), stating:

“There is nothing new to be revealed. The FBI and DEA reports have been in the public space for more than 30 years. They did not indict the Nigerian leader.”

Judge Howell noted that the existence of the records had already been acknowledged in a 1993 U.S. civil forfeiture case, in which Tinubu forfeited funds from his U.S. bank accounts. This, the court ruled, rendered the secrecy claims by the FBI and DEA invalid. However, the CIA was allowed to keep its records confidential, citing national security concerns.

Onanuga added that the President’s legal team is reviewing the court’s ruling but maintained it does not alter Tinubu’s political or legal standing.

In a related development, Tinubu met in Paris with Massad Boulos, a Senior Advisor on Africa from former U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration. The meeting focused on developing a strategic economic and security partnership between the United States, Nigeria, and Africa at large.

According to Onanuga, discussions centered on expanding American investments in Nigeria, infrastructure and energy collaboration, and joint efforts to promote peace in conflict zones like the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo and the Sahel.

Meanwhile, the Presidency has also disassociated itself from a wave of 2027 campaign billboards seen in various cities promoting a second term for Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima.

“We urge individuals and groups behind these campaign materials to desist immediately,” Onanuga stated. “Until INEC sets a timetable for the 2027 elections, the President has not authorised any campaign.”

He emphasized that both Tinubu and Shettima remain focused on delivering their current mandate and upholding electoral law.