President Bola Tinubu has asked a United States federal court to block the release of unredacted FBI and DEA records linked to a historical narcotics investigation. His lawyers filed a motion on 28 August 2026. They argued that releasing the files would violate his fundamental privacy rights under US law. The request follows a Freedom of Information Act lawsuit by Aaron Greenspan, an American open-government advocate.
The records relate to a 1993 civil forfeiture action in the US involving about $460,000. Tinubu has consistently denied wrongdoing. In 2025, a US court ordered agencies to process non-exempt records. The FBI and DEA released 399 pages, with portions redacted. The Presidency has said the matter is a civil records dispute, not a criminal proceeding. The case has resurfaced during the 2027 election cycle.
Tinubu’s legal team, including Christopher W. Carmichael and Oluwole O. Afolabi, submitted a 16-page application. They argued that prior disclosure during the forfeiture proceedings does not strip Tinubu of privacy interests in confidential law enforcement files. “Regardless of the prior disclosure in the forfeiture proceeding, Intervenor retains a privacy interest,” the filing stated.
The lawyers also argued that Greenspan’s request was driven by a desire to obtain any document bearing Tinubu’s name, not by legitimate public interest. “Plaintiff’s filings, overwhelmingly, demonstrate that his singular focus is obtaining documents with Intervenor’s ‘name on them’,” they wrote. They warned that allowing FOIA to be used this way would circumvent statutory privacy protections. They asked the judge to deny Greenspan’s motion for summary judgment and let the FBI and DEA redactions stand.
Winners: Tinubu, if the court protects the files. His legal team, which earns fees. The US agencies, which maintain their redaction decisions. Losers: Greenspan, if the motion fails. Transparency advocates, who see a precedent for secrecy. The public, which remains in the dark about the records.
Bottom Line: Tinubu wants the files sealed. Greenspan wants them open. The court will decide. Privacy and public interest are in tension. The 2027 campaign will amplify whichever way the ruling goes.