Freshly released documents have revealed new details linking the late American financier and sex offender Jeffrey Epstein to a proposed Nigerian oil transaction and contacts connected to former President Goodluck Jonathan’s era.

The records show that Epstein discussed a possible deal involving Nigeria’s crude oil in private emails with a businessman identified as David Stern.

The exchange suggests that the deal was presented as a quick-profit opportunity linked to buyers in China.

In one of the emails dated September 20, 2010, Stern told Epstein that a contact referred to as “PA” had introduced him to individuals who claimed they could access Nigerian oil and resell it abroad for profit.

The plan was described as a way to earn millions of dollars from the transaction.

“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.”

Despite the promise of huge returns, doubts were raised about the legitimacy of the proposal. Stern openly questioned the deal and warned Epstein that it looked suspicious.

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

Nigeria’s oil industry has long struggled with issues of secrecy, illegal trading, and weak transparency. Over the years, several administrations have tried to reform the sector, but problems such as crude oil theft and black-market sales have persisted. Only recently has the national oil company begun releasing audited financial statements to the public.

The emails form part of a wider set of correspondence that Epstein had with wealthy and influential figures before his death in 2019. Some of the messages mention Nigeria in relation to business talks, investments, and planned visits.

Another email from September 27, 2010, shows that George Reenstra, an American aviation executive, informed Epstein that he had to travel suddenly to Nigeria to meet with then-President Goodluck Jonathan. He described the meeting as unavoidable and urgent.

“I unexpectedly must leave this evening for Nigeria. I have tried hard to delay this trip but it is with the the country President and I have no alternative,” he wrote.

Reenstra added that he had handed over documents related to an ongoing business matter to his partner and hoped the financial arrangements would be completed while he was away.

“I have passed all the documentation to my partner, Jon Parker, and he will be able to assist you in completing the transaction. I will have email access but not the ability to open attachments. Hopefully we can resolve the contract issues and get the funds into deposit early this week per our telephone and e-mail exchanges of last week,” he stated.

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