FBI, DEA Request 90-Day Extension to Release Files Linked to Tinubu Drug Allegations
Written by Agboola Oluwafemi on May 2, 2025
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) have formally petitioned a United States District Court for a 90-day extension to fulfill a court-ordered release of documents connected to an alleged 1990s drug investigation involving Nigerian President Bola Tinubu.
The request was submitted on Thursday in a joint status report filed with the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. The filing pertains to an ongoing case initiated by Aaron Greenspan, an American legal transparency advocate and founder of the platform PlainSite. Greenspan has submitted multiple Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests seeking disclosure of documents related to a Chicago-based narcotics network, allegedly linked to Tinubu and three associates: Lee Andrew Edwards, Mueez Abegboyega Akande, and Abiodun Agbele.
The court, under the jurisdiction of Judge Beryl Howell, had previously mandated both the FBI and DEA to provide a status update by May 2, 2025, outlining their efforts to locate and disclose non-exempt records as stipulated by federal transparency laws. However, in the most recent submission, the agencies indicated they require an additional three months to complete comprehensive searches for the requested documents.
The status report stated:
“Aaron Greenspan (Plaintiff) and Defendants—the FBI and DEA—respectfully submit the following joint status report, proposing a schedule to govern further proceedings, pursuant to the Court’s Order of April 8, 2025. The agencies have commenced their searches for responsive, non-exempt, and reasonably segregable records as required by the plaintiff’s FOIA submissions and estimate a 90-day period to conclude their work.”
Greenspan has contested the proposed extension, arguing that the agencies have already delayed disclosure for several years and that numerous relevant documents have been previously identified. He urged the court to compel the agencies to release unredacted versions of available records within a week, and to complete any remaining disclosures within 14 days.
“Given the prolonged delays and the fact that responsive documents have already been located, the plaintiff contends that a 90-day timeline is unjustified,” Greenspan stated in his objection.
The FOIA requests in question, submitted between 2022 and 2023, span multiple federal agencies. Initially, the FBI and DEA issued what are known as “Glomar responses”—refusals to confirm or deny the existence of relevant records. This approach was later overruled by the court, which directed the agencies to initiate full or partial disclosures, consistent with FOIA obligations.
In addition to seeking the release of the records, Greenspan is also pursuing reimbursement of $440.22 in associated filing and mailing costs.
The parties remain in disagreement over the date for the next joint status report. The FBI and DEA have proposed July 31, 2025, while Greenspan has recommended a more expedited schedule, urging the court to set the next update deadline for May 31, 2025.
“The plaintiff seeks reimbursement for incurred costs: a filing fee of $402 and certified mailing expenses amounting to $38.22, totaling $440.22,” the filing noted.
“The defendants propose that the parties file a joint status update by July 31, 2025, while the plaintiff advocates for a May 31, 2025 deadline.”
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Author: Agboola Oluwafemi
Marketing Expert
