The decision was filed in June 2023 by U.S. citizen Aaron Greenspan under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). Greenspan has sued several U.S. agencies, including the FBI, the CIA, the IRS, the DEA and the U.S. State Department, alleging that they failed to release documents regarding Tinubu’s alleged involvement in drug trafficking in the 1990s.
According to Premium Times, Greenspan’s lawsuit stems from his FOIA request from 2022 to 2023, where they seek information about joint investigations conducted by the FBI, IRS, IRS, DEA and U.S. attorneys in Northern Indiana and Northern Illinois. He specifically requested criminal records related to four persons associated with the heroin trafficking ring, including Tinubu Ball,,,,, Lee Andrew Edwards and Eez Abbaogaya has been found.
In response, the agencies issued a “Glomar” response, refusing to confirm or deny the existence of the requested file. Greenspan challenged the responses, claiming that the information was public and should not be detained under Foia waivers.
Judge Howell’s ruling partially endorsed Greenspan and stated that “GlomarThe FBI and DEA issued inappropriate replies. The judge noted that the requirement to protect this information from public disclosure is “Improper or unreasonableGiven that the investigation into Tinubu has been acknowledged by both agencies.
The judge stressed that the FOIA request could challenge the agency’s claim that confirming or denying the existence of a record would cause harm, and that the FBI and the DEA effectively waived their right to deduct certain information. Howell noted that both agencies had previously acknowledged investigations into Tinubu and Agbele, including confirming that the FBI and DEA investigated Tinubu’s alleged links to drug trafficking.
By contrast, the CIA does not need to release its documents because the court held that Greenspan failed to prove that the CIA had formally acknowledged the existence or absence of records related to his FOIA request.
The case revolves around an incident in 1993, when Tinubu allegedly linked the proceeds from narcotic trafficking, it confiscated $460,000 with the U.S. government. The issue has been challenged by the legal challenge of Tinubu candidate during Nigeria’s 2023 presidential election, and his opponents questioned his qualifications based on the matter. However, the presidential election petition court rejected the challenge, confirming Tinob’s eligibility.
Greenspan’s court filing includes an affidavit detailing Agbele’s involvement in the heroin trafficking ring, which allegedly involved Tinubu’s funds. The affidavit shows that Agbele, who was arrested in the DEA operation, worked with the authorities and provided information on linking Tinubu to the drug dealing. Further investigations led to the identification of bank accounts controlled by Tinubu, suspected of participating in money laundering related to trafficking operations.
Judge Howell’s ruling allowed the release of documents related to Tinubu and Agbele, but currently has a Glomar response from the CIA. The court has ordered relevant U.S. agencies to submit reports on the status of the remaining issues in the case by May 2.
