The Allied People’s Movement has called on the United States authorities to release the findings of the Federal Bureau of Investigation report on alleged drug-trafficking links involving President Bola Tinubu.
APM, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Yusuf Abubakar, on Sunday, said the US authorities could make public portions of the report that would not compromise the safety of witnesses and investigators or expose sensitive investigative methods.
American transparency activist Aaron Greenspan is seeking access to records relating to alleged drug links involving Tinubu through a Freedom of Information Act lawsuit filed against several United States government agencies.
As part of the suit, Greenspan requested the FBI’s complete file on Tinubu, including FBI Form 302 interview records covering the period between 1992 and 1993.
Earlier, the Federal Bureau of Investigation told the court that releasing records linked to Tinubu could pose risks to individuals and potentially endanger lives.
In an application dated August 20, the FBI informed the US District Court in Columbia that it could not publicly disclose all the reasons for withholding certain documents.
The agency said this necessitated an ex parte, in camera declaration, to provide further explanations to the court. Meanwhile, in the latest development, Tinubu has asked the court to prevent the FBI and the Drug Enforcement Administration from releasing the records.
Reacting, the APM accused the Presidency of attempting to cover up the matter.
The party stressed that Nigerians deserved transparency on an issue it described as important to the country’s democratic and national integrity.
The statement read, “The APM notes that the US authorities can release aspects of the report that will not endanger lives, expose witnesses, investigators, or techniques used in the investigation.
“Our party asserts that the sustained efforts by the Tinubu Presidency to block the release of the report to the public heighten suspicion of guilt and desperation for a cover-up.
“The APM urges the United States authorities to note that withholding such information is of enormous harm to Nigeria’s security, national integrity, and democratic growth.
“The United States, being a leading democracy in the world, should at all times be seen to facilitate the consolidation of democracy and transparency in the international fight against drug trafficking and corruption.”
The APM said the allegations against Tinubu remained a global concern that could damage Nigeria’s reputation, particularly as he seeks re-election in 2027.
It continued, “This is especially as the public is already aware of the 1993 $460,000 forfeiture judgment against accounts traced to Tinubu by the US District Court for the Northern District of Illinois following an investigation into drug-related transactions.
“The effect of the $460,000 forfeiture judgment is that, by virtue of Section 137 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), President Tinubu remains ineligible for election in Nigeria. Moreover, Nigeria is a signatory to international conventions on drugs and money laundering.
“Against the backdrop of the coming presidential election, the APM urges the United States authorities to assist Nigerians in their decision to elect a leader with clean records and not an individual encumbered by drug-related allegations and corruption cases.”
