FBI Files Expose Epstein Emails on Nigerian Crude Oil Deal

FBI Files Expose Epstein Emails on Nigerian Crude Oil Deal
Emails reference possible contact with Jonathan era Nigeria leadership
Global figures named in Epstein correspondence before his death

Newly released documents have revealed email exchanges between Jeffrey Epstein, a convicted sex offender, and a businessman identified as David Stern, discussing a potential business deal involving Nigerian crude oil.

The documents, obtained by Premium Times, are part of a large cache released by the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation under the Epstein Files Transparency Act.

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EKO HOT BLOG reports that In an email dated September 20, 2010, Stern informed Epstein of what he described as an opportunity to make millions of dollars by brokering or flipping Nigerian crude oil.

According to the email, a person identified only as “PA” suggested that Stern meet individuals with access to Nigerian oil, with plans to resell it to China or other buyers. The transaction was estimated to generate a profit of about six million dollars.

“PA has asked me to see a guy who has access to Nigerian oil, and when selling it to China (or somebody else), F. can make around $6m,” Stern wrote.

However, Stern expressed doubts about the proposal, describing it as suspicious.

“This seems very fishy (as my boss JEE would say),” he added.

Nigeria, Africa’s largest oil producer, has long struggled with transparency in its oil sector, where crude oil theft and illegal trading remain persistent challenges. Efforts by successive governments to improve accountability have recorded limited success, with the national oil company, NNPC Limited, only recently beginning to publish audited financial statements.

The email exchange between Epstein and Stern is one of several instances in the released FBI files where Nigeria featured in discussions involving Epstein and individuals within his wealthy and influential network.

In another email dated September 27, 2010, George Reenstra, founder of Aircraft Service Group, informed Epstein that he had to make an urgent trip to Nigeria to meet with then President Goodluck Jonathan.

“I unexpectedly must leave this evening for Nigeria. I have tried hard to delay this trip but it is with the country President and I have no alternative,” Reenstra wrote, about four months after Jonathan assumed office.

There is no confirmation that the meeting with the former Nigerian president eventually took place.

Reenstra also told Epstein that documents related to a separate transaction had been handed to his business partner, Jon Parker, to finalise while he was away.

The newly released files also contain extensive correspondence between Epstein and influential political, business and royal figures before his death in July 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges.

The documents reference interactions with former United States President Donald Trump, who has acknowledged knowing Epstein but maintains that he severed ties with him years earlier.

Other prominent figures mentioned in the files include former United States President Bill Clinton, billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk and Britain’s Prince Andrew.

One email showed Epstein inviting Prince Andrew to dinner at Buckingham Palace, while another offered to introduce the prince to a 26 year old Russian woman. Despite Prince Andrew’s previous claim that he had no contact with Epstein after December 2010, the emails suggest communication continued into February 2011.

Elon Musk’s name also appeared in email exchanges between 2012 and 2013 discussing possible visits to Epstein’s Caribbean island. Musk later said Epstein “tried repeatedly” to get him to visit the island, invitations he said he declined.

The files further indicate that United States Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick arranged a visit to Epstein’s island in 2012.

FBI Files Expose Epstein Emails on Nigerian Crude Oil Deal

In addition, Epstein exchanged friendly emails with former Trump adviser Steve Bannon. In a January 2019 message, Epstein asked if Bannon had received an Apple Watch sent to him as a Christmas gift, later inviting him to New York.