The FBI is seeking court approval to keep certain records related to Nigerian President Bola Tinubu confidential. This request was filed on August 20 with the United States District Court for the District of Columbia. The FBI wishes to privately explain the reasoning behind withholding these records through a confidential declaration.
The agency is requesting an **ex parte and in camera** submission, meaning the information would be shared privately with the judge without entering the public record. The application was made public by Von Batten-Montague-York, a lobbying firm recently retained by former Nigerian Vice-President Atiku Abubakar.
The records pertain to Freedom of Information Act requests concerning Tinubu, focusing on information from 1992 and 1993. The FBI cited various exemptions under the US Freedom of Information Act, arguing that releasing certain details could expose investigative methods and endanger individuals’ safety. The agency emphasized that disclosing such information could reveal techniques used in law enforcement investigations.
One specific request referenced by the FBI, numbered 1588244-000, sought a complete FBI file on Bola Ahmed Tinubu, including records related to his birth date and his status as Nigeria’s president-elect in February 2023.
The FBI’s court filing does not verify any allegations against Tinubu or confirm his involvement in drug trafficking. It focuses on the agency’s stance regarding the disclosure of certain records under freedom-of-information laws. The court will decide if the materials in question can remain confidential.
