The U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has requested permission from a federal court in Washington, D.C., to submit a confidential declaration explaining why it is withholding certain records sought in connection with allegations linking Nigerian President Bola Tinubu to drug trafficking. The request was made in a court filing dated August 21, 2026, according to court documents reviewed by [Outlet].
The case stems from a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) lawsuit filed by a Nigerian activist seeking records about Tinubu, who was accused in a 1993 U.S. indictment of narcotics trafficking. The charges were later dropped, but the allegations have resurfaced in recent years. The FBI's motion argues that disclosure of the records could compromise ongoing investigations or national security.
In the filing, the FBI stated that the confidential declaration would provide the court with specific reasons for withholding the documents, without revealing sensitive information publicly. The court has not yet ruled on the motion. A hearing is scheduled for September 15, 2026.
Tinubu's administration has denied any wrongdoing, calling the allegations baseless. The White House and the Nigerian embassy in Washington have not commented on the FBI's latest filing.
