The United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has asked a federal court in Washington to allow it to submit confidential information explaining why portions of records relating to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu should remain withheld.
The latest development is part of an ongoing Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) dispute involving records sought from US government agencies concerning Tinubu.
According to reporting on the court proceedings, the FBI wants to submit an “ex parte in camera” declaration—a confidential submission that would be reviewed privately by the judge—to explain its reasons for withholding certain information.
The FBI’s position is that providing the full explanation publicly could undermine the very exemptions it relies upon to keep some material confidential.
The agency has argued that disclosure could reveal sensitive law-enforcement information and potentially expose investigative methods or individuals to risk.
The dispute forms part of a broader legal battle over US records concerning Tinubu.
The records have attracted public interest because of allegations and questions surrounding an earlier investigation in the United States. However, the existence of a request to keep records confidential should not be reported as proof of wrongdoing by Tinubu.
The current court proceedings are concerned with whether certain government records must be disclosed under US transparency laws and whether the FBI has adequately justified withholding portions of them.
The FBI’s request therefore does not amount to a finding by the court that the records contain evidence of criminal conduct.
The court will determine whether the agency’s proposed confidential explanation is sufficient to justify withholding the disputed material.