Femi Fani-Kayode, Nigeria’s Ambassador to South Africa, has threatened to file a lawsuit against Karl Von Batten, a US-based lobbyist hired by Atiku Abubakar, demanding at least $100 million over defamatory allegations.
Fani-Kayode also said he would seek Von Batten’s extradition from the United States to Nigeria over alleged violations of the country’s cybercrime laws.
He made the threats in a statement posted on X on Wednesday, in response to Von Batten’s announcement that his firm had been cleared to proceed with a $36 million lawsuit against Fani-Kayode and President Bola Tinubu.
The lobbyist, through Von Batten-Montague-York, L.C., said the suit would be filed next week in a US district court in Columbia over alleged threats to kidnap and physically harm him.
“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.
Responding, Fani-Kayode denied the allegations and challenged Von Batten to make public any evidence of threats from him, Tinubu or the federal government.
“I again challenge you to provide the evidence of these threats from me, the President and the Federal Government and 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.”
The ambassador said he would respond to the allegations in court.
“Be rest assured that you will be hearing from my lawyers soon, and I will be demanding at least 100 million USD for your libelous falsehood and vicious slander against my person in a duly constituted court of law in the United States of America,” he added.
“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.”
COURTESY: TheCable
