COVER
US Court Orders FBI, DEA to Release Tinubu’s Probe Records
By David Torough, Abuja
A United States District Court in Columbia has ordered the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Drug Enforcement Administration to release records relating to the criminal investigation of President Bola Tinubu over alleged drug trafficking.
This is even as the Presidency insisted that there is Nothing New to be revealed.
Judge Beryl Howell, in a ruling dated April 8, directed both agencies to search for and process non-exempt records tied to Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests filed by American researcher Aaron Greenspan.
Founder of legal transparency platform PlainSite, Greenspan had submitted 12 FOIA requests between 2022 and 2023, seeking information on a Chicago drug ring that operated in the early 1990s.
His request included records on Tinubu and three others: Lee Andrew Edwards, Mueez Abegboyega Akande, and Abiodun Agbele.
The FBI and DEA had previously issued “Glomar responses”—a refusal to confirm or deny the existence of requested records—but the court ruled that such responses were improper in this case.
The FBI and DEA have now been ordered to conduct a search and release non-exempt materials, while the parties are to report back to the court on the case’s status by May 2, 2025.
“The FBI and DEA have both officially confirmed investigations of Tinubu relating to the drug trafficking ring.
“Any privacy interests implicated by the FOIA requests to the FBI and DEA for records about Tinubu are overcome by the public interest in release of such information.
“Since the FBI and DEA have provided no information to establish that a cognizable privacy interest exists in keeping secret the fact that Tinubu was a subject of criminal investigation.
“They have failed to meet their burden to sustain their Glomar responses and provide an additional reason why these responses must be lifted,” the judgment read.
The court upheld the CIA’s Glomar response after Greenspan conceded that the agency had acknowledged the existence of responsive records.
The judge ruled, “For the reasons discussed above, plaintiff is entitled to summary judgment as to each of the four Glomar responses asserted by defendants FBI and DEA, while defendant CIA is entitled to summary judgment, since its Glomar response was properly asserted.
“Accordingly, the FBI and DEA must search for and process non-exempt records responsive to the FOIA requests directed to these agencies.
“The CIA, meanwhile, is entitled to judgment in its favour in this case. The remaining parties are directed to file jointly, by May 2, 2025, a report on the status of any outstanding issues in this case, as described in the accompanying order.”
Nothing New in FBI, DEA Records on Tinubu — Presidency
The Presidency has said that there is nothing new in the records the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation and Drug Enforcement Administration have been ordered to release concerning President Bola Tinubu.
This followed a ruling by a Washington DC judge directing the two agencies to release non-exempt files linked to past investigations involving Tinubu.
Responding to media inquiries on Sunday, Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said the reports in question have been in public for over 30 years and did not indict the Nigerian leader.
“Journalists have sought the Presidency’s reaction to the ruling last Tuesday by a Washington DC judge ordering the US FBI and DEA to release reports connected with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” Onanuga wrote in a social media post on Sunday
He added, “Our response is as follows. There is nothing new to be revealed.
“The report by Agent Moss of the FBI and the DEA report have been in the public space for more than 30 years.
“The reports did not indict the Nigerian leader.”
He added that the Presidency’s lawyers are currently examining the ruling.
This follows a ruling last Tuesday by Judge Beryl Howell of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, directing the FBI and DEA to release non-exempt documents related to a drug trafficking investigation.
The order came after Aaron Greenspan, an American and founder of legal transparency platform PlainSite, filed a lawsuit challenging the agencies’ refusal to confirm or deny the existence of such records.
Presidency Warns against 2027 Campaign Billboards Nationwide
The Presidency has issued a stern warning to individuals and groups behind a wave of unauthorized campaign billboards promoting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima for the 2027 general elections, declaring the actions illegal and premature.
In a press statement released on Sunday via the X platform by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, the Presidency described the development as “Disappointing” and called for the immediate removal of the campaign materials, particularly in Abuja and Kano where the billboards have been prominently displayed.
“The Presidency has observed, with dismay, the increasing number of billboards in some cities promoting the 2027 campaign for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima,” the statement said.
Some of the billboards also feature images of the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, raising further concerns about the scale and coordination of the campaign.
While expressing appreciation for the overwhelming support and enthusiasm of their followers, the Presidency emphasized that President Tinubu and Vice President Shettima remain committed to upholding the rule of law and preserving the integrity of the electoral process.
“The electoral law forbids any form of campaign for the 2027 general elections at this stage. Premature campaigning undermines the integrity of the electoral process and creates unfair advantages,” the statement noted.
The Presidency clarified that neither President Tinubu nor Vice President Shettima has authorized or endorsed any 2027 campaign activities through any media—whether traditional or digital. All such efforts are considered unauthorized and in violation of Nigeria’s electoral guidelines.
“Until the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) sets the timetable for the 2027 elections, the President has not endorsed or authorised anyone or any group to mount a 2027 campaign for him,” it reiterated.
The government further urged sponsors of the billboards and any related campaign initiatives to desist immediately, warning that continued violation of the law could attract sanctions.
President Tinubu and Vice President Shettima, the statement affirmed, are currently focused on nation-building efforts in areas including economic revitalization, infrastructure, security, social investment, and human capital development.
“When INEC signals that the processes for the 2027 elections can start, President Tinubu will duly inform Nigerians of his plans,” the statement concluded.
The warning signals the administration’s firm stance on lawful conduct and fair democratic processes, as political activities begin to stir across the nation ahead of the next election cycle.
By Tony Obiechina, Abuja
The Development Bank of Nigeria Plc (DBN) has launched DAWN: DBN Action for Women in Nigeria, unveiled its Impact Report and presented MSME Data Assets at the seventh edition of Annual Lecture held in Abuja.
DBN, in a statement on Thursday, said while delivering a welcome address, its Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Dr Tony Okpanachi, said the central challenge was no longer reforms themselves but ensuring benefits reach businesses at end of the chain.
He asked how to make sure benefits reach traders in Onitsha, fabricator in Aba, farmer in Kebbi and young founder in Yaba, noting that MSMEs accounted for about half of Nigeria’s GDP and more than eight in every ten jobs, adding that when reform works for MSMEs it works for most Nigerians.
He explained that reform becomes prosperity only when entrepreneurs can act on it whether through long tenor loans to buy equipment, banks willing to take risk or skills and records needed to grow.
He said working through Participating Financial Institutions DBN provides longer term funding, partial credit guarantees through subsidiary Impact Credit Guarantee Limited and capacity building including Entrepreneurship Training Programme.
He disclosed that as at December 2025 DBN had disbursed a cumulative N1.4 trillion to MSMEs through 84 Participating Financial Institutions creating about 1.6 million jobs nationwide.
Under the new five year strategy, the Bank aims to reach more than two million MSMEs with deliberate targets for women led businesses, youth led businesses and underserved states.
On DAWN, Okpanachi said finance alone had not enabled enough women-led businesses to scale.
He said initiative brings together financing, guarantees and credit support, technical assistance, outcome linked grants and market linkages delivered through banks, microfinance institutions, fintechs, aggregators, cooperatives and direct channels.
Its priority sectors are agriculture and exports, healthcare, arts and creatives, technology and green business.
He said DAWN is about moving gender focused lending beyond intention and turning access into opportunity.
On the sidelines of the lecture DBN and African Development Bank held a signing ceremony of AfDB DBN 61 million United States dollars Gender Line of Credit development that reinforces Bank commitment to women led enterprises.
Okpanachi urged Participating Financial Institutions to extend lending into sectors and states where access to finance has been limited, policymakers and regulators to measure reform by what changes for business at end of chain and MSMEs to formalise, keep good records and use support now available.
The Vice President as Special Guest of Honour was represented by Dr Fred Iklaga Senior Technical Adviser in the Office of Special Adviser to the President on Economy.
Keynote speakers were Chief Executive Officer of MTN Nigeria, Dr Karl Toriola, and Chairman of Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority, Dr Segun Ogunsanya.
Fireside chat featured Chief Executive Officer of Sterling Bank Abubakar Suleiman, manufacturing and trade entrepreneur Mrs Omoyemi Chukwurah and by video Kola Masha of Babban Gona.
The Secretary to the Government of Federation, represented by Augusta Warren Bekaredebo, said 2026 tax reforms would bring relief to many small businesses expressing optimism that a lot of businesses will be smiling by next year because they will be exempted from tax.
By Tambaya Julius, Abuja
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has threatened possible nationwide industrial action following the failure of talks with the Federal Government over workers’ welfare, petrol prices and other outstanding labour demands.
The warning came after a meeting between the government and organised labour at the Ministry of Labour in Abuja on Thursday, October 22, ended without an agreement.
The congress has given the Federal Government until Tuesday, October 27, to make meaningful progress on the issues, warning that its relevant organs would decide the next line of action if the next meeting fails to produce concrete commitments.
The NLC has also directed its affiliates, state councils and civil society allies to begin mobilising members for possible nationwide action.
In a statement issued after the meeting, the NLC Acting General Secretary, Benson Upah, expressed disappointment over what he described as the government delegation’s lack of preparedness for the negotiations.
According to the congress, organised labour presented its demands in good faith but left the meeting without any concrete commitments from the government.
The demands include a reduction in petrol prices to 2024 levels, renegotiation of the national minimum wage, implementation of agreed tax relief measures and resolution of the terms of settlement involving the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU).
The congress also called for the resolution of issues raised by the Joint Public Service Negotiating Council (JPSNC) over peculiar allowances, wage awards and hazard allowances.
The NLC said the government delegation lacked the necessary authority to engage meaningfully on the issues presented by labour representatives.
“The meeting between the Federal Government and organised labour, convened at the Ministry of Labour in Abuja on 22nd October 2026, has ended without resolution,” the statement said.
It added that the Minister of Labour requested that the meeting be adjourned until October 27 to allow the government to prepare adequately for further discussions.
The preparations, according to the statement, would include bringing relevant ministers and heads of departments and agencies to the negotiating table.
The congress said it remained open to dialogue but would not accept continued delays in addressing workers’ concerns.
“We will report back to our organs, and if no meaningful progress is made on Tuesday, the relevant organs of the NLC will decide the next line of action,” it said.
The labour body urged workers and members of the public to remain calm while the negotiations continue, even as it directed its affiliates and allies to prepare for possible industrial action.
“However, we urge all affiliates of NLC and TUC; all state councils and our civil society allies to be alert and start mobilising for a possible action across the nation while we hope that the tenets of our demands are met by the government,” the statement added.
The October 27 meeting is expected to provide another opportunity for both sides to address the outstanding issues and prevent a possible escalation of the dispute.
However, the NLC’s decision to begin mobilisation suggests that tensions could rise if the next round of talks fails to produce meaningful progress.
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has barred its personnel from escorting politicians during campaigns for the 2027 general elections.
Zonal Commanding Officer, RS6, ACM Abimbola Owolabi, gave the directive during her maiden visit to the Cross River Command in Calabar on Wednesday.
Owolabi said patrol vehicles and sirens must not be used for political activities or private engagements, including weddings and funeral processions.
She directed officers deployed to campaign venues to focus exclusively on traffic management to prevent congestion and road crashes.
The zonal head warned personnel against leading political convoys or providing escorts for politicians, stressing that official vehicles must not be used for unauthorised purposes.
NOA, Speaker Mobilise Northwest against Drug Abuse, Domestic Violence
ShareThe National Orientation Agency (NOA) and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, have launched a campaign against...
FG Calls for Stronger Agricultural Value Chains to Boost Food Security
ShareThe Federal Government has called for a stronger agricultural value chains, increased agro-industrialisation and improved market access to boost food...
Ododo Donates N35m for Takete-Ide Town Hall Project
ShareFrom Joseph Amedu, Lokoja Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Ododo has donated N35 million for the completion of the ongoing community...
NELFUND Loan Improves Graduate’s GPA to 3.50
ShareA graduate of the University of Maiduguri, Shianya Ebwaseh, said the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) helped improve her Grade...
FG Seeks Synergy Among Housing Agencies to Boost Housing Delivery
ShareThe Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Dr Muttaqha Darma, has called for synergy among government agencies in the housing...
Ondo SUBEB Charges 637 Newly Absorbed Teachers on Professionalism
ShareThe Ondo State Government has congratulated the 637 newly absorbed teachers and other personnel into the state public teaching service,...
NDDC Officials, Journalists Inspect 600-Metre Otuogori Bridge Project in Bayelsa
ShareFrom Mike Tayese, Yenagoa Officials of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), and journalists on Monday inspected the ongoing construction...
WAHO Seeks Uniform Standards for Health Professionals’ Education in ECOWAS
ShareBy David Torough, Abuja The West African Health Organisation (WAHO) has reaffirmed its commitment to harmonising the training, accreditation and...
2027: INEC Engages Adamawa PWDs on Electoral Process
ShareThe Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Adamawa has sensitised Persons Living with Disabilities (PWDs) on the electoral process ahead...
GAIYD Reaches 49,585 People, Targets 100 Per Cent Growth in Youth Devt Impact
ShareBy David Torough, Abuja The Great Achievers Initiative for Youth and Community Development (GAIYD) says it reached more than 49,585...