Nigeria’s Ambassador to South Africa, Femi Fani-Kayode, has threatened to institute a $100m defamation lawsuit against United States-based lobbyist, Karl Von Batten, over allegations linking him to threats of kidnapping and physical harm.
Fani-Kayode also threatened to seek Von Batten’s extradition from the United States to Nigeria, alleging that the lobbyist violated Nigerian cybercrime laws and committed criminal defamation.
The former Minister of Aviation made the threats in a statement posted on X on Wednesday, following an announcement by Von Batten’s firm that it had been cleared to proceed with a $36m lawsuit against Fani-Kayode and President Bola Tinubu.
Von Batten, through his firm, Von Batten-Montague-York, L.C., had said the proposed suit would be filed next week before a US district court in the District of Columbia.
The firm alleged that its client had been subjected to threats involving kidnapping and physical harm.
It also said it would engage US, UK and European Union immigration authorities over the allegations and examine whether Fani-Kayode’s travel or visa status warranted review.
But Fani-Kayode denied the allegations and challenged the lobbyist to publicly produce evidence linking him, Tinubu or the Federal Government to any threats against him or his client, former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar.
“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 described the allegations against him and the President as serious accusations made without evidence and rejected claims that the Nigerian government engages in kidnapping, killing or other forms of state-sponsored violence against opposition figures.
Fani-Kayode also disputed allegations concerning Tinubu, including an accusation that the President had been convicted of drug smuggling, saying the President had not been indicted or convicted by any court of law.
He said neither he nor the Federal Government had contemplated kidnapping, killing or physically harming Atiku.
According to him, the government had operated within the law and respected the rights of Nigerians.
Fani-Kayode said he would take the dispute before the courts, signalling a shift from public exchanges to legal proceedings.
“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,” he said.
He further threatened to pursue Von Batten’s extradition to Nigeria to answer allegations relating to Nigerian cybercrime laws and criminal defamation.
“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,” Fani-Kayode said.
The ambassador concluded by warning that the dispute would henceforth be handled through legal representatives.
“You have been put on notice. From now on it is lawyer to lawyer. See you in court,” he said.
.
'
'Do you want to share a story with us? Do you want to advertise with us? Do you need publicity for a product, service, or event? Contact us on WhatsApp +2348183319097 Email: platformtimes@gmail.com
We are committed to impactful investigative journalism for human interest and social justice. Your donation will help us tell more stories. Kindly donate any amount HERE
