The legal battle over President Bola Tinubu’s historical US records has sparked intense public debate, but his legal team insists the push to withhold certain files is strictly about procedure—not a cover-up.

During an appearance on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, Wole Afolabi (SAN), a member of Tinubu’s US legal team, broke down why federal agencies are keeping parts of the file under wraps.

Key Points From the Legal Defense

  • Following US Law: Afolabi argued that utilizing Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) exemptions is standard legal practice. Failing to invoke these protections would amount to "professional malpractice" on the defense team's part.

  • Protecting Operatives, Not Politicians: According to the legal team, the US government is withholding specific details to safeguard ongoing security protocols rather than shield an individual. The FBI and DEA raised concerns that full disclosure would expose undercover agents, confidential informants, and sensitive investigative methods.

  • No Indictment Equals No Culpability: Addressing historical allegations of drug trafficking, Afolabi maintained that a formal investigation does not equate to guilt. He noted that if American authorities had actionable evidence linking Tinubu to a crime, an indictment would have followed.

  • The $460,000 Question: When pressed about the high-profile $460,000 forfeiture from the 1990s, Afolabi declined to comment, citing attorney-client privilege.

While critics continue to demand full transparency, the defense maintains that the refusal to release the complete records is driven by standard US agency protocols designed to protect state security frameworks, rather than an effort to hide political secrets.