Trump-Appointed US Attorney Orders Immediate Release of Tinubu-Related Records as Nigerian President Challenges Extension Request

• US Attorney, Pirro and the US Department of Justice have initiated steps to comply with orders concerning records held by the Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Investigation and Drug Enforcement Administration relating to allegations against Tinubu
• Meanwhile, the US lobbying firm alleged that Tinubu was seeking to delay the release of the records and suggested that his administration could use the additional time to lobby US officials over the potential impact of the disclosure on relations between Nigeria and the United States

A legal process involving records relating to allegations of drug trafficking against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has taken a new turn in the United States, with a lobbying firm working for former Vice President Atiku Abubakar claiming that the US Department of Justice has moved to comply with a court order on the release of the documents.

News Week Nigeria reports that the development was disclosed by Washington-based lobbying firm Von Batten-Montague-York L.C., which has been engaged by Atiku.

The firm made the claim in a series of posts on its verified X account, identifying Jeanine Pirro, the newly appointed US Attorney, as the official handling the federal government’s response to the court proceedings.

According to the lobbying firm, Pirro and the US Department of Justice have initiated steps to comply with orders concerning records held by the Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Investigation and Drug Enforcement Administration relating to allegations against Tinubu.

The records reportedly concern allegations of drug trafficking, which Tinubu has previously denied.

In a separate statement, the firm said the US government had sought an additional 10 days to comply with the process.

It, however, said Judge Beryl Howell granted only four additional days, extending the deadline to August 21.

The firm said Judge Howell cited the length of time the case had already remained pending, noting that the matter had been in court for more than three years.

“We deeply appreciate U.S. Attorney Pirro and the DOJ’s renewed motivation to release these documents,” the lobbying firm said, adding that it agreed with the judge that the case had been pending for too long.

The firm subsequently disclosed that Tinubu had also filed a request in the case.

According to Von Batten-Montague-York, Tinubu formally joined the Justice Department’s request for a 10-day extension in a filing made two business days earlier.

The lobbying firm alleged that Tinubu was seeking to delay the release of the records and suggested that his administration could use the additional time to lobby US officials over the potential impact of the disclosure on relations between Nigeria and the United States.

It further alleged that any US government officials who improperly attempted to interfere with the judicial or Freedom of Information Act process to prevent the release of the records should be held accountable.

The firm also argued that the US government should not protect individuals who are alleged by US authorities to have been connected to criminal activities involving heroin trafficking.

However, the claims in the statement were made by the lobbying firm and should not be treated as established facts. The court proceedings and any eventual release of the records would provide the basis for determining what the documents contain and whether they substantiate any of the allegations.

The development comes amid continued political attention surrounding allegations concerning Tinubu’s past in the United States and renewed efforts by political opponents to obtain records connected to the matter.

The latest filing and the court’s decision on the extension request could determine when the records are made public.