7 February 2026
Newly released documents from United States authorities have revealed that late American financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein once explored a potential business deal linked to Nigeria’s crude oil sector but expressed serious doubts over what he feared could be a classic “419” scam.
The documents, released by the Federal Bureau of Investigation under the Epstein Files Transparency Act, include private email exchanges from 2010 showing discussions between Mr Epstein and an associate, David Stern, about a proposed oil transaction involving Nigeria.
According to reports by Premium Times, an email dated 20 September 2010 showed Mr Stern informing Mr Epstein of an opportunity presented by a contact identified only as “PA,” who claimed to have access to Nigerian crude oil that could be bought and resold to China or other international buyers for significant profit.
The proposal suggested that the deal could generate returns of up to six million dollars. However, the correspondence made clear that both men were uneasy about the arrangement.
“This seems very fishy,” Mr Stern wrote, echoing concerns he said Mr Epstein frequently raised about deals that appeared too good to be true.
Nigeria, Africa’s largest oil producer, has long struggled with transparency in its petroleum industry. Crude oil theft, illegal trading and opaque contracting practices have persisted for decades, undermining investor confidence. The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited only began publishing audited financial statements in recent years.
The oil-related emails were among several Nigeria-linked communications uncovered in the newly released files. Other correspondence shows that Mr Epstein maintained contact with individuals whose business and political engagements extended into Nigeria.
In one exchange from September 2010, George Reenstra, founder of Aircraft Service Group, informed Mr Epstein that he was embarking on an urgent trip to Nigeria for a meeting with then-President Goodluck Jonathan. There is no public confirmation that the meeting ultimately took place.
Mr Epstein died in custody in July 2019 while awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking and conspiracy charges, which he denied. His death, officially ruled a suicide, intensified public pressure for the release of records detailing his activities and global network.
Renewed calls for transparency followed the return of Donald Trump to office, with demands that authorities fully disclose Mr Epstein’s associations. The documents show that individuals linked to Mr Trump had prior interactions with Mr Epstein, though Mr Trump has said he cut ties long before Mr Epstein’s arrest.
The files also reference prominent figures including former US President Bill Clinton, technology billionaire Elon Musk, and Britain’s Prince Andrew.
Taken together, the latest disclosures have revived scrutiny of Mr Epstein’s far-reaching connections, offering fresh insight into how his business interests briefly intersected with Nigeria’s oil sector—an opportunity he appeared to view with deep suspicion.
Abuja Network News
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