Nigeria’s Ambassador to South Africa, Femi Fani-Kayode, has threatened legal action against United States-based lobbyist, Karl Von Batten, and demand at least $100 million in damages over what he described as defamatory and libellous allegations against him.
Fani-Kayode also disclosed that he would seek Von Batten’s extradition from the United States to Nigeria over alleged violations of the country’s cybercrime laws and criminal defamation.
The former minister of aviation, made the declarations in a statement posted on X on Wednesday hours after Von Batten announced that his firm had been cleared to proceed with a $36 million lawsuit against Fani-Kayode and President Bola Tinubu.
Von Batten, through his firm, Von Batten-Montague-York, L.C., said the suit would be filed next week before a United States District Court in Columbia over alleged threats to kidnap and physically harm him.
The firm also said it would engage United States, United Kingdom and European Union immigration authorities after filing the suit to determine whether Fani-Kayode’s travel or visa status should be reviewed over the alleged threats.
The suit arises from threats of kidnap and physical harm to Dr Von Batten, made by Fani-Kayode as part of the alleged organised criminal conspiracy involving the Nigerian Presidency.
Reacting, Fani-Kayode denied threatening Von Batten and challenged the lobbyist to publish evidence linking him, Tinubu or the Federal Government to any alleged threats.
“I again challenge you to provide the evidence of these threats from me, the President and the Federal Government & MAKE THEM PUBLIC,” he said.
Fani-Kayode also rejected allegations that the Nigerian government engages in the targeting, kidnapping or killing of opposition figures, describing such practices as unlawful and contrary to the government’s stated commitment to human rights.
He further accused Von Batten of making serious allegations against Tinubu, the Nigerian government and himself without evidence.
“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,” Fani-Kayode said.
He also took issue with allegations concerning the President’s alleged criminal past, insisting that Tinubu had never been indicted or convicted by any court for drug smuggling.
Fani-Kayode said he was prepared to address the allegations through legal channels rather than engage further in public exchanges.
“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 said.
He added that he would pursue legal proceedings in Nigeria against Von Batten.
“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,” the ambassador said.
Fani-Kayode concluded by warning that future dealings between both sides would be handled through their lawyers.
“You have been put on notice. From now on it is lawyer to lawyer. See you in court,” he said.
In March, Von Batten-Montague-York was contracted by the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, under a 12-month agreement reportedly valued at $1.2 million. The engagement includes advocacy, diplomatic outreach and efforts to present Atiku’s perspectives on issues relating to Nigeria-US relations.