A United States-based lobbyist, Dr. Von Batten-Montague-York, has claimed that the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) hold 399 pages of records relating to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Batten-Montague-York made the claim in a post on X, alleging that members of his team had informed him that the documents were connected to what he described as Tinubu’s alleged narcotics case.
He questioned why the US law-enforcement agencies would have such a substantial volume of records concerning the Nigerian president.
“What was President Bola #Tinubu’s connection to the reported heroin-trafficking organization to warrant 399 pages of responsive FBI records?” he asked.
The lobbyist also commended US President Donald Trump’s administration for what he described as increased transparency regarding the records.
He contrasted the current administration’s position with that of former President Joe Biden, alleging that the previous administration had declined to acknowledge possession of files relating to Tinubu.
The latest claim comes amid an ongoing legal battle over the release of records allegedly connected to past investigations involving Tinubu.
In an earlier court filing, the FBI warned that releasing certain investigative records could expose confidential sources, informants and agents to potential threats.
The agency said some individuals mentioned in the records could consider the information derogatory or incriminating, while those who provided information or participated in the investigation could potentially face violent retaliation if their identities were disclosed.
The FBI made the submission in response to a Freedom of Information Act lawsuit before Judge Beryl Howell of the US District Court for the District of Columbia in Washington, DC.
The filing followed an order by Judge Howell directing the FBI to explain why records relating to the alleged Tinubu investigation should remain withheld and allowing the agency to submit its justification and relevant documents privately for the court’s review.
Batten-Montague-York’s claim about the 399 pages has not, however, been independently verified, and the existence of the records does not by itself establish any wrongdoing by President Tinubu.
