NEWS
Fani-Kayode Threatens $100m Lawsuit, Extradition Bid Against U.S Lobbyist, Karl Von Batten, Over Alleged Defamation
Nigeria’s Ambassador to South Africa, Femi Fani-Kayode, has threatened legal action against United States-based lobbyist Karl Von Batten, following allegations made against him, President Bola Tinubu and the Federal Government.
Fani-Kayode said he would demand at least $100 million in damages over what he described as defamatory and libellous allegations, while also indicating that he would seek Von Batten’s extradition to Nigeria over alleged violations of the country’s cybercrime laws and criminal defamation provisions.
The diplomatic and legal confrontation followed an announcement by Von Batten that his firm, Von Batten-Montague-York, L.C., had been cleared to proceed with a $36 million lawsuit against Fani-Kayode and President Tinubu.
According to the lobbyist’s firm, the proposed action is expected to be filed next week before a United States District Court in the District of Columbia. The case reportedly centres on allegations that Von Batten was subjected to threats involving kidnapping and physical harm.
“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.
Fani-Kayode, however, has rejected the allegations and challenged Von Batten to produce publicly verifiable evidence linking him, President Tinubu or the Federal Government to any threats against the lobbyist.
“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,” he stated.
The ambassador maintained that the allegations would ultimately be addressed through the appropriate legal channels rather than through 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 added.
Fani-Kayode further escalated the dispute by indicating that he would pursue legal steps in Nigeria against the US-based lobbyist.
“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.”
The exchange has now shifted the dispute from a public war of words into threatened legal proceedings in both the United States and Nigeria, with Fani-Kayode signalling that he intends to contest the allegations formally and pursue damages over statements he considers defamatory.
The claims and counterclaims remain matters for the courts and relevant authorities to determine.