Fani-Kayode Threatens $100m Suit Against Atiku’s US Lobbyist

Nigeria’s Ambassador to South Africa, Femi Fani-Kayode, has threatened to sue United States-based lobbyist Karl Von Batten for at least $100 million over what he described as defamatory and libellous allegations.

Fani-Kayode also said he would pursue Von Batten’s extradition to Nigeria over alleged violations of the country’s cybercrime laws and criminal defamation.

The latest exchange followed an announcement by Von Batten-Montague-York, the lobbying firm engaged by former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar. The firm said it had received clearance to pursue a $36 million lawsuit against Fani-Kayode and President Bola Tinubu in the United States.

According to the firm, the proposed suit would centre on alleged threats by Fani-Kayode to kidnap and physically harm Von Batten. It said it expected to file the action next week at the United States District Court for the District of Columbia.

The firm also said it would contact immigration authorities in the United States, United Kingdom and European Union after filing the case. It wants the authorities to consider whether the allegations warrant a review of Fani-Kayode’s travel or visa status.

Fani-Kayode rejected the allegations and challenged Von Batten to produce evidence linking him, Tinubu or the Federal Government to any plan to kidnap or harm him.

He said the matter had moved beyond social media exchanges and would now proceed through legal channels.

“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 and vicious slander against my person in a duly constituted court of law in the United States of America,” Fani-Kayode said.

He further announced plans to seek Von Batten’s “lawful extradition” from the United States to Nigeria over alleged breaches of Nigerian cybercrime laws and criminal defamation.

“You have been put on notice. From now on it is lawyer to lawyer. See you in court,” the ambassador added.

Fani-Kayode also denied any intention to kidnap, kill or physically harm the lobbyist. He maintained that he had acted within the law and challenged Von Batten to make public whatever evidence supported the allegations.

The ambassador accused the lobbyist of making serious claims against Tinubu, the Nigerian government and himself without sufficient evidence. He also rejected the interpretation of an earlier post on X that Von Batten’s firm cited in its allegation of threats.

The dispute has grown out of Von Batten’s campaign to obtain and publicise historical United States government records relating to Tinubu’s past dealings with American drug-enforcement authorities. His firm has pursued Freedom of Information Act requests and related litigation over the records.

In July, the firm said it had begun providing materials concerning the allegations to officials in the administration of United States President Donald Trump, members of Congress and senior congressional staff.

Fani-Kayode has repeatedly challenged Von Batten to substantiate the allegations against the President. He has also disputed the lobbyist’s interpretation of historical US records concerning Tinubu.

The ambassador further alleged that Von Batten works for Atiku and claimed that the former vice-president paid the lobbyist $1.2 million for activities aimed at damaging Tinubu’s reputation. Reports have linked Von Batten-Montague-York to a 12-month, $1.2 million agreement involving Atiku.

The proposed $36 million action and Fani-Kayode’s threatened $100 million counter-suit have not yet produced a court judgment establishing the allegations made by either side. The two parties have instead continued to trade claims publicly as the dispute moves towards possible litigation.