US Court Sets August 21 Deadline for Release of Tinubu-Linked Investigation Records

A U.S. federal judge has reportedly given authorities until August 21, 2026, to release government records linked to longstanding allegations involving President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The development was disclosed by Von Batten-Montague-York, a U.S.-based policy advisory and lobbying firm retained by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.

The firm said the U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia had requested an additional 10 days to comply with a court order involving records held by the U.S. Department of Justice, FBI and DEA.

However, U.S. District Judge Beryl Howell reportedly granted only a four-day extension, setting August 21 as the new deadline.

According to the firm, Judge Howell considered the fact that the case has been before the court for more than three years.

The lobbying firm welcomed the decision and urged the U.S. authorities to release the records when the new deadline expires.

The documents reportedly relate to old U.S. investigations and allegations concerning Tinubu, who has consistently denied any wrongdoing or involvement in drug trafficking.

The controversy has resurfaced as Nigeria approaches the 2027 general elections, putting renewed focus on Tinubu’s past activities in the United States.

At the centre of the matter is a 1990s U.S. asset-forfeiture case involving $460,000 associated with Tinubu.

Reports citing U.S. court documents say the money was forfeited to the U.S. government in 1993 under laws concerning narcotics proceeds and money laundering.

Tinubu’s lawyers and political allies have argued that the case was a civil in rem forfeiture proceeding, meaning the action was directed at the money rather than against Tinubu personally.

They have also stressed that Tinubu was never arrested, indicted or convicted of a drug-related offence in the United States.

With August 21 now reportedly set as the deadline, attention is focused on whether the records will be released and what information they may contain.

The allegations remain disputed, and Tinubu has denied wrongdoing. The release of any records should not, by itself, be interpreted as proof that he committed a drug-trafficking offence.