Tinubu’s US Legal Case Takes Fresh Turn as Firm Leaks New Documents

A United States-based political advisory and lobbying firm, Von Batten-Montague-York, has released new documents in a federal court case involving Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, raising fresh questions about alleged hacking activities targeting American activists.

The firm announced the development in a statement published on its verified X account, saying a recently filed court document referred to criminal proceedings and public reports concerning allegations against DCI Group, which it described as representatives of the Tinubu administration in Washington, DC.

According to the firm, the allegations involve a purported hacking operation in which stolen information was allegedly used to discredit critics of the Nigerian government.

Von Batten-Montague-York said the disclosures deserved closer scrutiny in view of its separate federal lawsuit involving Tinubu, Nigeria’s ambassador to South Africa, Fani-Kayode, and DCI Group.

The firm alleged in the lawsuit that it had been subjected to defamatory attacks, followed by statements it interpreted as threats involving kidnapping, physical harm, referrals to Nigerian security agencies and possible extradition.

It argued that the latest disclosures raised concerns about American sovereignty, foreign interference and the possibility of governments using pressure across national borders to silence critics.

The firm also referred to the 2018 killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, citing the case as an example of the dangers faced by critics of foreign governments. It said it was taking the alleged threats seriously and indicated that further action could follow.

However, the claims concerning DCI Group and the alleged hacking operation remain allegations presented by the firm. The information provided did not establish that a court had found Tinubu or his administration responsible for the alleged activities.

The latest development adds another dimension to the firm’s legal dispute involving the Nigerian President and other parties, although the outcome of the proceedings remains uncertain.