FBI, DEA Request 90-Day Extension to Release Tinubu’s Alleged Drug Case Records
US Agencies Seek More Time Amid Court Battle Over FOIA Requests
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) have jointly requested a 90-day extension from a US District Court to produce investigative reports concerning President Bola Tinubu’s alleged involvement in a 1990s Chicago drug case.
The request was filed Thursday with the US District Court for the District of Columbia, marking the latest development in a legal transparency case that has drawn international attention.
Background of the Case
The case stems from Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests filed by Aaron Greenspan, founder of legal transparency platform PlainSite, who seeks records about a Chicago-based drug ring allegedly involving four individuals including Tinubu. Between 2022 and 2023, Greenspan submitted 12 separate FOIA requests for these documents.
Previously, both agencies had issued “Glomar responses,” refusing to confirm or deny the existence of records. However, Judge Beryl Howell ruled these responses inappropriate in this case and ordered the agencies to provide a status update by May 2, 2025.
Conflicting Timelines Proposed
In their joint status report, the FBI and DEA stated they needed 90 additional days to complete their searches for responsive documents. Greenspan strongly objected to this timeline, proposing instead:
- Production of already-identified unredacted documents within one week
- Complete document production within 14 days
The transparency advocate argued that the agencies provided no justification for needing three additional months, noting the case had already experienced “years-long delay.”
Financial Considerations
Greenspan indicated his intention to seek reimbursement for $440.22 in legal costs, including filing fees and certified mail expenses related to the case.
Next Steps
The agencies proposed submitting another joint status report by July 31, 2025, while Greenspan pushed for a May 31 deadline. The court must now decide between these competing timelines as the high-profile case continues.
For more details, read the original report on Daily Trust.
