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Tinubu FBI records: Agency seeks secret court filing over safety, investigative methods

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FBI confirms Tinubu was subject of US criminal investigation in 1990s

Tinubu FBI records: Agency seeks secret court filing over safety, investigative methods

The United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has asked a federal court in Washington, D.C., to allow it to privately explain why some investigative records relating to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu remain withheld, arguing that publicly disclosing the full basis for the redactions could expose sensitive law-enforcement techniques and potentially endanger individuals.

The FBI made the request in a filing dated August 20, 2026, in an ongoing Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) lawsuit brought by Aaron Greenspan, the founder of PlainSite, who is seeking historical US government records connected to investigations involving Tinubu and allegations of drug trafficking.

The agency is asking the US District Court for the District of Columbia to permit it to submit confidential declarations ex parte and in camera. This would allow the FBI to provide its full explanation directly to Judge Beryl Howell, under seal and without making the information available to the other parties or the public.

The FBI said the request is necessary because publicly setting out the complete justification for withholding some of the records could reveal the information it is seeking to protect.

“The FBI has determined that it cannot provide on the public record the full basis for the application of Exemptions 7(E) and 7(F) to certain withholdings,” the agency said in its filing, arguing that an ex parte, under-seal declaration is therefore necessary.

Under the US FOIA, Exemption 7(E) can protect information that would disclose law-enforcement techniques or procedures, while Exemption 7(F) covers information whose disclosure could reasonably be expected to endanger an individual’s life or physical safety.

The FBI has also relied on FOIA Exemptions 6, 7(C) and 7(D) in processing the records sought by Greenspan. The exemptions broadly address personal privacy, confidential sources and other protected information obtained during law-enforcement investigations.

The agency has not said that Tinubu is the person whose life or safety could be endangered by disclosure. Rather, the potential danger cited in the filing relates to the statutory basis for applying Exemption 7(F).

If Judge Howell approves the request, the FBI said it intends to submit its confidential declaration explaining the disputed withholdings by August 28, 2026.

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Greenspan has filed multiple FOIA requests seeking historical records from US federal agencies relating to a criminal investigation into a Chicago-based heroin trafficking organisation that operated in the late 1980s and early 1990s.

His requests include the FBI’s “entire FBI file” on Tinubu, as well as FBI Form 302 interview records involving Tinubu in a case covering the period between 1992 and 1993.

The records sought concern four individuals identified in the litigation: Tinubu, Lee Andrew Edwards, Mueez Adegboyega Akande and Abiodun Agbele.

The requests were submitted to several US agencies, including the FBI, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Executive Office for United States Attorneys and Department of State. The CIA was subsequently added to the case.

Several of the agencies initially issued what is known as a “Glomar response”, declining to confirm or deny whether records relating to the individuals existed.

Greenspan challenged the agencies’ responses through the US Department of Justice’s Office of Information Policy before taking the dispute to federal court.

He filed the lawsuit on June 12, 2023, challenging the agencies’ refusal to confirm or deny the existence of the requested records.

A major development came in April 2025, when Judge Beryl Howell ruled that the FBI and DEA could no longer rely on their Glomar responses concerning the disputed records.

Howell found that the agencies had not established sufficient privacy interests to justify refusing to confirm or deny whether records existed concerning Tinubu.

The judge ordered the FBI and DEA to lift their Glomar responses, although she upheld the CIA’s Glomar response.

The ruling was significant because it opened the way for the agencies to address the existence of the requested records rather than simply refusing to acknowledge whether they had them.

However, the ruling did not amount to a finding that Tinubu committed drug trafficking or any other criminal offence.

The case is a FOIA litigation over access to government records, not a criminal prosecution of Tinubu.

The court’s decision also did not require every requested document to be released without redactions. US law allows agencies to withhold information where they can establish that specific FOIA exemptions apply.

The latest filing concerns records that the FBI says remain protected from disclosure even after the earlier Glomar dispute.

The agency is effectively asking Judge Howell to examine the sensitive material and its justification for withholding it without requiring the FBI to reveal publicly the investigative methods, sources or safety-related information it says are protected.

The request therefore represents a further legal dispute over how much of the Tinubu FBI records can be released, rather than a blanket decision to keep the entire file secret.

The FBI’s filing also does not reveal what the withheld records contain. It only explains why the agency believes portions of the material qualify for continued protection under federal law.

The development comes amid another dispute over the timing of the government’s response in the case.

The US Department of Justice (DOJ) recently asked Judge Howell for an additional 10 days to respond to a court order concerning the records. The judge granted only four additional days, setting August 21, 2026, as the deadline.

Tinubu, through his legal team, subsequently joined the DOJ’s request for the longer extension.

The court’s deadline does not necessarily mean that all the requested records will be released immediately. The dispute still involves questions about applicable FOIA exemptions, redactions and whether the government has adequately justified withholding particular portions of the records.

The latest FBI request adds another issue for the court to consider: whether the agency should be allowed to provide some of its evidence and explanations privately because publicly disclosing them could undermine the very protections it is invoking.

The renewed attention on the Tinubu FBI records has generated political and public interest because the underlying FOIA requests concern historical allegations involving drug trafficking.

However, the latest FBI filing should not be interpreted as confirmation of those allegations.

The FBI has not publicly disclosed the contents of the withheld material, and the court has not found Tinubu guilty of drug trafficking based on the records at issue.

The ongoing proceedings are focused on whether the US government has complied with the Freedom of Information Act and whether particular information can legally be withheld under recognised exemptions.

The court will ultimately determine whether the FBI has provided sufficient grounds for keeping the disputed material confidential and whether any additional records should be released.

Tinubu FBI records: Agency seeks secret court filing over safety, investigative methods

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NSITF Exposes Fake Recruitment Scam, Warns Nigerians Against Fraudsters

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NSITF Exposes Fake Recruitment Scam, Warns Nigerians Against Fraudsters
Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF)

NSITF Exposes Fake Recruitment Scam, Warns Nigerians Against Fraudsters

The Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) has warned Nigerians, particularly job seekers, against fake recruitment advertisements and forged appointment letters being circulated by fraudsters seeking to deceive members of the public.

The warning was contained in a public notice issued by the Fund and circulated to its Regional and Branch Managers through a memorandum dated October 5, 2026, signed by the Executive Director, Administration, Samaila Abdu.

NSITF said it is not currently recruiting for any position, describing employment advertisements circulating on social media, particularly Facebook, as fake.

The Fund said individuals and groups were falsely presenting themselves as representatives of NSITF and using purported employment opportunities to target unsuspecting members of the public.

It urged Nigerians to disregard such advertisements and not make payments to anyone in exchange for employment opportunities.

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NSITF stressed that it does not charge applicants any fee for employment and does not conduct recruitment through unofficial social media platforms or other unauthorised channels.

The Fund said genuine NSITF recruitment opportunities, whenever available, would be announced through its official communication channels.

“Stay alert, stay safe,” the Fund advised, urging anyone who encounters suspicious recruitment advertisements or requests to avoid responding and report them to the appropriate NSITF authorities.

The Fund has also directed all its Regional and Branch Managers to prominently display the warning at strategic locations within their offices.

The directive covers reception areas, main entrances and exits, notice boards, SERVICOM desks and other locations accessible to staff and members of the public.

NSITF said the notices should remain visible to help protect job seekers and other members of the public from fraudulent recruitment activities.

The Fund further urged Nigerians to verify recruitment claims through official NSITF channels before providing personal information, making payments or taking any other action.

The NSITF warning comes amid continued concerns over online recruitment scams in which fraudsters exploit job seekers by offering supposed government employment in exchange for money or personal information.

NSITF reiterated that legitimate employment opportunities would be communicated through its recognised channels and warned Nigerians to remain vigilant when responding to unsolicited job offers.

NSITF Exposes Fake Recruitment Scam, Warns Nigerians Against Fraudsters

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Seven Years With Parkinson’s: Man Seeks N65m for Brain Surgery in Türkiye

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Seven Years With Parkinson’s: Man Seeks N65m for Brain Surgery in Türkiye
Aliyu Abdulmalik

Seven Years With Parkinson’s: Man Seeks N65m for Brain Surgery in Türkiye

A 54-year-old Nigerian man, Aliyu Abdulmalik, who has battled Parkinson’s disease for about seven years, is seeking N65 million to undergo specialised brain surgery in Istanbul, Türkiye.

Abdulmalik is seeking public assistance after his condition reportedly became resistant to drug treatment, leaving him with serious symptoms including difficulty walking and rigidity.

A medical treatment report issued by Atasehir Medicana International Hospital, Istanbul, and dated February 10, 2025, described his condition as drug-resistant Parkinson’s disease.

The hospital’s Department of Neurosurgery and Neuromodulation Centre, under Prof. Atilla Yilmaz, recommended Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) surgery for Abdulmalik.

According to the medical report, the procedure is an approved treatment for drug-resistant Parkinson’s disease, and doctors concluded that Abdulmalik needed the surgery based on his condition. (Punch Newspapers)

The estimated cost of the procedure is $35,000.

The hospital said the amount would cover neurological evaluations, necessary radiological and laboratory investigations, the surgery and required equipment, as well as post-operative care and programming of the implanted pulse generator.

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The treatment package also includes transportation between the airport and hospital, a 15-day hospital and hotel stay, and accommodation for two companions.

A fundraising appeal launched on Abdulmalik’s behalf said he spent much of his youthful years involved in Islamic da’wah activities before his health condition began to significantly affect his life.

The appeal said he urgently needed to undergo Deep Brain Stimulation surgery in Istanbul to help him regain a more normal life.

The fundraising target of N65 million is expected to cover the treatment, post-surgery care, accommodation, transportation and feeding during his stay in Istanbul.

As of the latest update contained in the appeal, N1,114,688.37 had been raised, leaving a shortfall of about N63.89 million.

The organisers appealed to individuals, organisations and well-meaning Nigerians to support Abdulmalik in raising the funds needed for his treatment.

They said contributions would help him access the recommended surgery and related care.

Donations can be made through:

Stanbic IBTC
Account Name: Kudirat Hammed A
Account Number: 0057418305

OPay
Account Name: Hammed Kudirat Ajoke
Account Number: 7063094566

For enquiries: 09025138148 or 07063094566.

Seven Years With Parkinson’s: Man Seeks N65m for Brain Surgery in Türkiye

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Court Denies Bail To Anambra Pastor Accused Of Marrying Mother, Daughter

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Court Denies Bail To Anambra Pastor Accused Of Marrying Mother, Daughter

Court Denies Bail To Anambra Pastor Accused Of Marrying Mother, Daughter

The Anambra State High Court sitting in Awka has denied bail to Harrison Anazodo, a pastor and spiritualist facing a seven-count charge over alleged abduction, forced marriage and other offences.

Justice Jude Obiora rejected the bail application as proceedings continued in the case involving the General Overseer of Day Spring Assembly.

Anazodo had sought bail through his lawyer, W. Abonye, who reportedly cited health concerns in asking the court to release his client.

However, the prosecution, led by Chief State Counsel Chineze Ekwerekwu, opposed the application.

The prosecution filed a 20-paragraph counter-affidavit and two exhibits in opposition to the bail request and told the court that the state was ready to proceed with the trial.

The allegations against Anazodo include claims that he abducted a woman and her daughter and allegedly subjected them to forced marriage. He is also accused of taking several women as wives and engaging in conduct allegedly prohibited under the Anambra State Homeland Security Law, 2025.

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Anazodo has pleaded not guilty to the charges, and the allegations against him have not been established by the court.

The case attracted public attention following his arrest by officials of the Anambra State Government in June. Reports surrounding the arrest also alleged that about 11 babies were found at his residence.

The prosecution is expected to call witnesses as the trial progresses, with the state indicating its readiness to present its case.

The court subsequently adjourned the matter until October 16, 2026, for further proceedings.

There was also a confrontation involving some of the defendant’s supporters and journalists at the court premises. Reports said some journalists were allegedly prevented from recording the defendant’s arrival, with claims that phones and cameras belonging to some members of the media were damaged.

The incident was reportedly brought to the attention of the court by Anambra State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Tobechukwu Nweke, SAN. Defence counsel subsequently apologised over the incident, while the court directed that damaged equipment be replaced.

With the bail application rejected, Anazodo will remain in custody as the criminal trial continues.

Court Denies Bail To Anambra Pastor Accused Of Marrying Mother, Daughter

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