Von Batten-Montague-York seeks $36m US lawsuit against Tinubu, Fani-Kayode

Former Aviation Minister, Femi Fani-Kayode, has reacted to plans by Washington-based lobbying and advisory firm, Von Batten-Montague-York, L.C., to file a $36 million lawsuit against him and President Bola Tinubu in the United States. The firm, which works for former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, announced the planned lawsuit in a post on X on Wednesday. Reacting […] Karl Von Batten: Fani-Kayode reacts to $36m US lawsuit

Femi Fani-Kayode, Nigeria’s ambassador to South Africa, has threatened to file a lawsuit against Karl Von Batten, a US-based lobbyist hired by Atiku Abubakar, demanding at least $100 million over defamatory allegations.   Fani-Kayode also said he would seek Von Batten’s extradition from the United States to Nigeria over alleged violations of the country’s cybercrime laws.   He made the threats in a statement posted on X on Wednesday, in response to Von Batten’s announcement that his firm had been cleared to proceed with a $36 million lawsuit against Fani-Kayode and President Bola Tinubu.   The lobbyist, through Von Batten-Montague-York, L.C., said the suit would be filed next week in a US district court in Columbia over alleged threats to kidnap and physically harm him.     “After filing next week, we will engage with U.S., U.K., and E.U. immigration authorities regarding the alleged extrajudicial threats and whether Ambassador Fani-Kayode’s travel or visa status warrants review,” the firm had stated.   Responding, Fani-Kayode denied the allegations and challenged Von Batten to make public any evidence of threats from him, Tinubu or the federal government.   “I again challenge you to provide the evidence of these threats from me, the President and the Federal Government & MAKE THEM PUBLIC,” he said.     “For the record, I do not care what you do, and I am not losing any sleep over your threats.   “You have accused President Tinubu, the Nigerian Government & me of being part of a corrupt, criminal syndicate and enterprise that are involved in transnational terrorism and that physically harm, kill & kidnap people without any evidence.   “Outside of that you have accused our President of being a convicted drug smuggler despite the fact that he has never been indicted or convicted by any court of law.   “Nigeria is not a Banana Republic. Our Government does not target, kidnap, harm or kill opposition figures and are not involved in any acts of state-sponsored terrorism.     “Outside of that who and what are you that would in any way attract our concern? You are just too small.   “You are totally inconsequential in the scheme of things.   “We have always operated within the law & respected the human rights of Nigerians.   “We have NEVER contemplated kidnapping, killing or harming your client, Atiku Abubakar.     “Such unlawful and heinous practices are an abomination to God & to this Government.   “Your delusions of grandeur must come to an end.”     The ambassador said he would respond to the allegations in court.   “Be rest assured that you will be hearing from my lawyers soon, and I will be demanding at least 100 million USD for your libellous falsehood & vicious slander against my person in a duly constituted court of law in the United States of America,” he added.     “I will also seek for your lawful extradition from America to come and answer for your numerous violations of our Cybercrime laws & criminal defamation before a duly constituted court of law here in Nigeria.   “You have been put on notice. From now on it is lawyer to lawyer. See you in court.”  

 Von Batten-Montague-York, L.C., the United States-based lobbying firm hired by former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, says it has been cleared to proceed with a $36 million federal lawsuit against Femi Fani-Kayode, Nigeria’s ambassador to South Africa, over alleged threats to kidnap and physically harm Karl Von Batten, the firm’s owner.   In a statement on Wednesday, the firm said the suit, which also names President Bola Tinubu as a defendant, would be filed next week in a US district court in Columbia.   The lobbying firm said the suit was prompted by “threats to kidnap and physically harm Dr. Von Batten, made by Ambassador Fani-Kayode as part of an organized criminal conspiracy involving the Nigerian Presidency”.   “After filing next week, we will engage with U.S., U.K., and E.U. immigration authorities regarding the alleged extrajudicial threats and whether Ambassador Fani-Kayode’s travel or visa status warrants review,” the statement added.     The lawsuit follows a series of X posts in which Fani-Kayode launched a broadside against Von Batten over the lobbyist’s persistent allegations against Tinubu.   In recent weeks, the firm has sought to bring Tinubu’s past dealings with US drug-enforcement agencies into the spotlight, including by filing Freedom of Information Act (FOI) requests and lawsuits seeking US records relating to the president.   In July, the lobbying firm said it had begun providing the US Department of Justice (DOJ) records concerning drug-trafficking allegations against Tinubu to members of the Donald Trump administration, congress, and senior congressional staff.     Von Batten has since stepped up his criticism of Tinubu, who is seeking re-election.   Fani-Kayode challenged Von Batten to substantiate his claims, questioning his identity, professional credentials and motives.   The ambassador also denied threatening to harm Von Batten.   “For the record nobody is interested in ‘killing’ or ‘kidnapping’ you as you and your fake company have alleged on X so stop bleating like a spineless quisling and screaming like a gutted pig: it is pathetic,” Fani-Kayode said.     “I am not in the business of killing people or of kidnapping them but I am in the business of exposing liars and frauds who have dedicated their lives to smearing the President and Government that I serve and the country from which I proudly come.   Fani-Kayode said he operates within the law and intends to continue to do so, adding that he would engage Von Batten on all fronts “as long as I choose to do so”.

A United States law firm working for former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Von Batten Montague-York, has said it has been cleared and authorised to commence a $36 million federal lawsuit against President Bola Tinubu and former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, in the United States. The firm disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday saying […] Dr Von Batten: Tinubu, Fani-Kayode face $36m US lawsuit over alleged kidnap, death threats