American missionary Alex Barbir has called on US President Donald Trump to release outstanding records relating to a decades-old US investigation involving Nigeria’s President, Bola Tinubu, warning that continued secrecy could have serious consequences.
Barbir made the demand amid ongoing legal efforts under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) to obtain additional documents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and other US government agencies.
The missionary drew Trump’s attention to a 1990s investigation into a Chicago-area heroin distribution network and a subsequent civil forfeiture case involving funds allegedly linked to Tinubu.
According to Barbir, the continued withholding of the records could make US officials complicit in the consequences of drug trafficking allegations affecting Nigerians.
“Tinubu is a heroin trafficker who forfeited thousands of dollars to the US government. Concealing his files from the public makes officials complicit in the killing of Nigerians,” he alleged.
The allegations referenced by Barbir relate to historical US investigations and court proceedings. Tinubu has previously denied wrongdoing in connection with the matter.
The controversy has resurfaced as litigation continues over the release of additional records held by US authorities. The FOIA dispute has generated renewed public interest in what information remains classified or undisclosed in the files.
Historical documents from the US Department of Justice (DOJ) concerning the matter have also reportedly been circulated by a US lobbying firm to members of the Trump administration and Congress.
Barbir is now demanding that the outstanding records be made public, arguing that Nigerians have a right to access information surrounding allegations linked to a past US investigation involving the country’s political leadership.
He urged the Trump administration to ensure greater transparency by releasing the documents sought through the ongoing FOIA process.
