There Was FBI Investigation But Tinubu Was Not Involved — Omokri

Nigeria’s ambassador-designate to Mexico, Reno Omokri, has acknowledged that an FBI investigation involving individuals connected to President Bola Tinubu took place but maintained that the President was not the subject of the investigation.

Omokri made the clarification during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today programme on Sunday while discussing renewed controversy over United States records linked to Tinubu.

According to him, Tinubu was working as an accountant at the time and had held funds belonging to clients who were under investigation by American authorities.

Omokri said the funds were later forfeited after they were considered suspicious, stressing that the action involved the accounts containing the money rather than Tinubu personally.

He maintained that Tinubu was not indicted or investigated as the target of the case, even though the accounts connected to his clients came under scrutiny.

Omokri also referred to a 2003 FBI document which he said contained the outcome of checks carried out on Tinubu. He claimed the document indicated that there was no criminal arrest record or outstanding warrant against the President.

The ambassador-designate nevertheless acknowledged that an FBI investigation occurred, but maintained that the existence of the probe should not be interpreted as evidence that Tinubu himself was investigated.

He declined to identify the people who were the subjects of the investigation, saying that disclosing their identities could expose their families to unnecessary consequences.

The controversy comes amid renewed interest in US law-enforcement records relating to an investigation dating back to the 1990s and legal proceedings seeking access to documents held by American authorities.

About 399 pages of records have reportedly been identified in connection with Freedom of Information Act proceedings, although some materials have been redacted or withheld.

Omokri declined to discuss the details of the documents because of the ongoing court proceedings. He also opposed the release of sensitive information that could be contained in the records, including personal, family and financial details.

He argued that making such information public could expose private individuals and provide political opponents with material that could be used against the President.