by Joseph Omoremi
WASHINGTON DC -A February 13, 2026 deadline has been issued to both the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to produce a “Vaughn index” report on why 50 out of 238 pages processed on the criminal investigation conducted on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of Nigeria between 1990 and 1994 were redacted and 172-pages withheld.
“Joint status report has parroted the same message for the past six months with no anticipated end in sight,” hence the need for the deadline among other steps towards resolving the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) dispute”, said Judge Beryl A. Howell of the U.S. District Court in Washington D.C.
A Vaughn Index is a document prepared by agencies that are opposing the disclosure of information under Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).
Judge Howell also ordered the two agencies to furnish the court the 12-pages “sent out for consult” six months’ back, and when each page was referred for consultation and the expected date the consultation would be completed.
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Other steps ordered by Judge Howell includes an explanation for the withholdings and swan declarations or affidavits by individuals with personal knowledge of the sent out 12-pages.
She also asked both the FBI and DEA to put a face value on their responses with an affidavits or declaration.
The FBI and the DEA are the two remaining defendants from 10-FOIA requests by Aaron Greenspan seeking details of criminal investigation on President Tinubu of Nigeria while working as an accountant and stockbroker in Chicago.
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS), U.S. Department of State (State), and the Executive Office for the United State Attorneys (EOUSA) were part of the five US agencies served with FOIA request by Greenspan.
The court further reiterated FBI’s earlier promise to make its first and second interim reports by January 30, 2026 and March 13, 2026.
Instead of the usual monthly joint status report, Justice Howell directed that both the plaintiffs and defense should file by January 27, 2026 and every 14-days afterwards.
The FOIA came about when six accounts linked to Bola Tinubu now Nigerian President with Heritage First Bank in Country Club Hills, a suburb of Chicago were frozen and $460,000 forfeited to the U.S government out of over $2millions found in First Heritage Bank, Citibank N.A and Citibank, International.
