The Presidency has clarified that the ongoing case before a United States court involving records linked to President Bola Tinubu is not a criminal proceeding against the Nigerian leader.
Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, made the clarification in a statement on Thursday while responding to reports and commentary surrounding the case.
Onanuga said the matter before the US District Court for the District of Columbia is a civil dispute under the US Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).
He explained that the case centres on requests for the release of records held by US government agencies, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).
According to him, the dispute concerns the disclosure and redaction of government records and not the prosecution of Tinubu for any criminal offence.
The Presidency stressed that no US court has found Tinubu guilty of criminal wrongdoing in connection with the matter.
It said some records had already been released by the FBI and DEA, while portions were withheld under exemptions contained in US law.
Onanuga added that the US court would determine whether the disputed records or portions of them should be released.
The clarification followed renewed public discussion over documents relating to a historical US investigation involving Tinubu and allegations of drug trafficking.
Tinubu has consistently denied involvement in drug trafficking and has not been convicted of the offence in the United States.
