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It recalls that in 2003, the American Consulate told the Nigerian Police that an FBI check showed no criminal arrest records, wants or warrants for Tinubu.
The current case began in 2022 when Aaron Greenspan, linked to opposition figures, filed FOIA requests for US records on Tinubu. After some agencies withheld records, he filed Civil Action No. 23‑1816. Tinubu later joined as an intervenor.
Several agencies used the Glomar defence, leading the court to remove the CIA, EOUSA, State Department, Treasury and IRS, leaving only the FBI and DEA. Those agencies produced 399 pages with redactions. Greenspan is challenging the redactions, while the FBI, DEA and US Department of Justice defended them using FOIA exemptions covering grand jury secrecy, legal privilege, law enforcement materials, privacy, confidential sources and investigative techniques. Tinubu also invoked Exemption 7(C).
Greenspan must file his opposition by September 11, 2026, and the FBI, DEA and Tinubu must reply by September 18, 2026.
The Presidency says FOIA redactions do not imply criminal liability, and the case is strictly about access to records. It adds that Judge Beryl A. Howell alone will decide the matter, and that Karl von Batten is not a party to the case.
It urges the media to rely on verified court information, not political speculation.
Good to know
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