FBI Asks US Court To Keep Tinubu Probe Records Secret

The FBI has asked a United States court to keep parts of its explanation for withholding records linked to allegations involving President Bola Tinubu away from the public record.

The request was filed on August 20 at the US District Court for the District of Columbia. The agency wants to give Judge Beryl Howell a private declaration explaining why some records should remain withheld.

Punch, Vanguard and Daily Trust all reported that the disputed records relate to Freedom of Information requests over old drug-trafficking allegations. The reports said the FBI asked to file the explanation ex parte and in camera, meaning it would be shown privately to the judge rather than published in the open court file.

The case follows requests made to US agencies including the FBI and the Drug Enforcement Administration. Earlier proceedings challenged the agencies’ refusal to confirm or deny whether some records existed, a response often used in sensitive security or law-enforcement matters.

Vanguard reported that the FBI cited protection of law-enforcement methods and personal safety as reasons for secrecy. Daily Trust reported that the application said the agency could not publicly disclose all the reasons behind its decision to withhold the records.

The Justice Department had sought more time to respond to the court order, but the judge granted a shorter extension and set August 21 as the new deadline, according to the reports.

Sources: Punch, Vanguard, Daily Trust