A new court filing in a federal case involving Nigerian President Bola Tinubu has raised fresh questions about allegations of hacking, stolen information and efforts to discredit critics in the United States.
Von Batten Montague York, L.C., disclosed the development in a statement posted on October 9, saying a court document filed the previous day cited criminal proceedings and public reports concerning allegations that DCI Group, a Washington based firm linked in the allegations to representatives of the Tinubu administration, was connected to an alleged hacking operation targeting American activists.
According to the statement, the operation allegedly involved stolen information used to undermine critics.
The firm, said the disclosures call for closer examination alongside its separate federal lawsuit against President Bola Tinubu, Ambassador Fani Kayode, and the DCI Group. That lawsuit alleges a campaign of defamatory attacks followed by statements the firm interpreted as threats of kidnapping, physical harm, referral to Nigerian security agencies, and extradition.
The statement also drew a comparison with the killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, whose murder highlighted the dangers faced by critics of powerful governments. The reference was used to stress concerns about the potential risks facing people who challenge foreign political leaders.
The allegations place renewed attention on the relationship between foreign governments, lobbying firms and political critics operating in the United States. They also raise questions about the possible use of private firms, sensitive information and intimidation tactics in disputes that cross national borders.
However, the allegations outlined in the statement remain claims made in the context of ongoing legal proceedings. The filing’s precise contents, the evidence supporting the alleged hacking operation and any response from Tinubu, Fani Kayode or DCI Group were not provided in the statement.
Von Batten Montague York said further action was being considered and urged supporters to watch for the next development.
The case could bring additional scrutiny to the allegations as the legal proceedings continue, particularly if further court documents provide evidence concerning the alleged hacking, the use of stolen information or the reported threats.
For now, the latest disclosure has added another layer to the legal dispute, with questions about foreign influence, personal safety and the protection of political critics in the United States remaining at the centre of the allegations.
