US Judge issues fresh order to FBI, DEA over delay in releasing Tinubu’s 1990s records

A United States federal judge has openly criticised the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) for prolonged delays in releasing records linked to Nigerian President Bola Tinubu.

The records were requested under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) by transparency advocate Aaron Greenspan in 2022.

They relate to a long-standing narcotics investigation from the early 1990s, during which Tinubu forfeited $460,000 to the US government.

Judge condemns repeated delays

Judge Beryl A. Howell of the US District Court for the District of Columbia expressed frustration over what she described as endless postponements by both agencies.

In a ruling dated February 3, she said the case had dragged on for more than three years without meaningful progress.

According to court filings, the FBI and DEA have repeatedly missed court-ordered deadlines, offering new dates without clear explanations.

Judge Howell warned that the delays were unacceptable and issued firm instructions that must be followed.

Tinubu’s objection stalled earlier release

In 2023, the FBI announced plans to release about 2,500 pages of Tinubu’s records in batches of 500 pages per month.

However, the process was halted after Tinubu objected, arguing that releasing the documents could negatively affect him while his presidential election victory was still before Nigeria’s Supreme Court.

Judge Howell approved the pause at the time. But even after the Supreme Court upheld Tinubu’s election, the FBI and DEA continued to seek further extensions.

Court unimpressed by FBI’s shifting timelines

Judge Howell noted that the FBI had failed to release a single document, despite several projected completion dates that were repeatedly shifted.

She said the bureau had not provided a reliable end date for producing the requested records.

Her ruling highlighted how deadlines moved from August 2025 to September, then December, January 2026, and again to February, with what she described as minimal justification.

DEA ordered to explain withheld documents

While the DEA has released some documents, Judge Howell criticised the agency for withholding others without clear timelines.

The DEA claimed some files were sent to other agencies for consultation but did not say when reviews would be completed.

The judge ordered the DEA to submit a detailed Vaughn index explaining why 50 pages were redacted and 172 pages withheld.

For 12 remaining records, she directed a DEA agent to file sworn affidavits explaining, page by page, the status of each document and efforts made to speed up their release.

Fresh orders issued

Judge Howell also instructed the FBI to submit sworn statements explaining its repeated failure to meet deadlines. She made it clear that continued delays would no longer be tolerated.

President Tinubu has consistently denied any involvement in drug trafficking, maintaining that he committed no wrongdoing.