If we release Tinubu’s alleged drug trafficking files now, our informants, agents’ lives will be in danger: FBI

The Federal Bureau of Investigation has warned that releasing files related to President Bola Tinubu’s alleged drug trafficking activities and CIA links could put its informants and agents at risk of “violent retaliation,” according to a court filing made on Friday before US District Judge Beryl Howell in Washington, D.C.

As reported by Peoples Gazette, the FBI cited FOIA Exemption (b)(7)(F)-1 in filings made by US Attorney Jeanine Pirro, arguing that releasing the information “would shed light on the criminal activities of third parties” who might violently target those who cooperated with the investigation.

“It is likely these individuals would be violently targeted by third parties involved in the criminal activities associated with this specific drug trafficking investigation,” the FBI stated.

The case stems from FOIA requests by transparency activist Aaron Greenspan seeking documents on Tinubu’s alleged 1980s-1990s drug dealings. Judge Howell had set an August 28 deadline for the FBI to justify withholding the files and requested private court review of the documents.

The FBI announced plans to release 2,500 pages of Tinubu’s records in 2023, but the process stalled after the president opposed it.