Newly declassified documents released by the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) have revealed that the late Jeffrey Epstein exchanged emails in 2010 discussing a possible business deal involving Nigerian crude oil.
The documents, obtained by Premium Times, were released under the Epstein Files Transparency Act and form part of a broader cache detailing Epstein’s communications with business, political and social elites before his death in 2019.
In one email dated September 20, 2010, a businessman identified as David Stern told Epstein about what he described as a potentially lucrative opportunity linked to Nigerian oil trading.
According to Stern, a third party referred to only as “PA” had suggested he meet individuals who allegedly had access to Nigerian crude oil, which could be resold to China or other buyers at a significant profit.
“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.
Despite the promise of high returns, Stern expressed clear doubts about the proposal, describing it as suspicious.
“This seems very fishy (as my boss JEE would say),” he added, using Epstein’s initials.
Nigeria, Africa’s largest oil producer, has for decades struggled with transparency and accountability in its petroleum sector. Crude oil theft and illicit trading remain persistent problems, despite repeated reform efforts by successive governments. The country’s national oil company, NNPC Limited, only began publishing audited financial statements in recent years.
Nigeria Appears Elsewhere in Epstein Files
The oil-related exchange is not the only instance in which Nigeria appears in the newly released correspondence.
In another email dated September 27, 2010, George Reenstra, founder of Aircraft Service Group, informed Epstein that he was travelling urgently to Nigeria for what he described as a high-level meeting.
“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.
At the time, Nigeria was under the leadership of President Goodluck Jonathan, who had assumed office four months earlier. There is no public confirmation that the meeting Reenstra referenced eventually took place.
Reenstra also noted that documents connected to another business transaction had been left with his partner, Jon Parker, to finalise in his absence.
Emails With Global Power Brokers
The FBI files further highlight Epstein’s extensive correspondence with influential figures across politics, business and royalty prior to his arrest and death in a New York jail in July 2019 while awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges.
The documents reference interactions with former US President Donald Trump, who has acknowledged knowing Epstein but has said he cut ties with him long before Epstein’s legal troubles intensified.
Other prominent names appearing in the files include former US President Bill Clinton, billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk, and Britain’s Prince Andrew.
One email shows Epstein inviting Prince Andrew to dinner at Buckingham Palace, while another offered to introduce the British royal to a 26-year-old Russian woman. These messages appear to contradict Prince Andrew’s earlier claim that he had no contact with Epstein after December 2010, as emails suggest communication continued into February 2011.
Musk, Lutnick, Bannon Mentioned
Elon Musk’s name appears in email exchanges from 2012 to 2013 discussing visits to Epstein’s private Caribbean island. Musk later said Epstein “tried repeatedly” to persuade him to visit the island, an invitation he said he declined.
The files also indicate that US Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick arranged a visit to Epstein’s island in 2012.
In addition, Epstein maintained friendly correspondence with former Trump adviser Steve Bannon. In a January 2019 email, Epstein asked whether Bannon had received an Apple Watch sent as a Christmas gift, later extending an invitation for him to visit New York.
The newly released documents continue to fuel global scrutiny of Epstein’s network and the breadth of his connections, even years after his death.
