NIGERIA’S Ambassador to South Africa, Femi Fani-Kayode, has threatened to sue Karl Von Batten, a United States-based lobbyist linked to Atiku Abubakar, for at least $100 million over what he described as defamatory statements against him.
Fani-Kayode also threatened to seek Von Batten’s extradition to Nigeria over alleged breaches of the country’s cybercrime laws and criminal defamation.
The ambassador made the threats on Wednesday in a post on X, following Von Batten’s announcement that his law firm had received clearance to pursue a $36 million lawsuit against Fani-Kayode and President Bola Tinubu in the United States.
Von Batten-Montague-York, L.C. said it planned to file the case next week before a US district court in Columbia over alleged threats against the lobbyist, including claims that he was targeted for kidnapping and physical harm.
The firm also said it would approach US, UK and European Union immigration authorities over the allegations and ask whether Fani-Kayode’s travel or visa status should be reviewed.
Fani-Kayode rejected the allegations and demanded that Von Batten publish evidence linking him, Tinubu or the Nigerian government to any threats against him.
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He also denied allegations that the Nigerian government had targeted Atiku, the opposition politician the lobbyist represents.
“I again challenge you to provide the evidence of these threats from me, the President and the Federal Government and make them public,” Fani-Kayode said.
He accused Von Batten of making serious allegations against him, Tinubu and the Nigerian government without evidence, including claims of involvement in a criminal enterprise and transnational terrorism.
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Fani-Kayode also disputed allegations concerning Tinubu, including an assertion that the president was a convicted drug smuggler.
“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,” he said.
He further said neither he nor the government had contemplated kidnapping, killing or physically harming Atiku.
The ambassador said he had instructed his lawyers to respond to the allegations through the courts.
“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,” he said.
Fani-Kayode also threatened to initiate extradition proceedings against Von Batten in Nigeria.
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“I will also seek for your lawful extradition from America to come and answer for your numerous violations of our Cybercrime laws and criminal defamation before a duly constituted court of law here in Nigeria,” he said.
The ambassador concluded by saying the dispute would now be handled through their respective lawyers.
“You have been put on notice. From now on it is lawyer to lawyer. See you in court,” he said.
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