A United States lobbying firm, Von Batten-Montague-York, L.C., has accused Nigeria’s High Commissioner to South Africa, Femi Fani-Kayode, of threatening to kidnap and physically harm its principal, Dr. Karl Von Batten, over his continued push on the drug case allegations involving President Bola Tinubu.
The Fani-Kayode kidnap threat allegation has quickly gained traction online, adding a fresh twist to an already tense diplomatic standoff between the firm and Nigerian officials.
The lobbying firm made the allegation in a post on its verified X handle, saying it had already begun briefing the US Department of State about the alleged threat. According to the firm, it also forwarded a formal report to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), citing concerns about what it described as “transnational repression.”
“We have begun briefing the State Department concerning the Nigerian Presidency’s threat, through one of its ambassadors, to kidnap and physically harm Dr. Von Batten,” the firm stated, directly naming Fani-Kayode in the process.
Beyond the diplomatic briefing, Von Batten-Montague-York, L.C., revealed that it is preparing to file a lawsuit against the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the former aviation minister over the alleged threats. The firm noted that the alleged conduct is being documented as a possible case of transnational repression, a term the US Department of Justice uses to describe tactics foreign governments allegedly use to intimidate, harass, or coerce individuals beyond their national borders.
The firm further referenced US federal law on international terrorism, stating its intention to bring the matter, including potential sovereign-immunity arguments under the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act, before a federal court for determination.
The Fani-Kayode kidnap threat controversy comes amid an already escalating confrontation between Von Batten-Montague-York and officials and political allies of President Tinubu, stemming from the firm’s ongoing campaign demanding the release of US records tied to historical drug-trafficking allegations involving the Nigerian leader.
The Backstory: The Long-Running Battle Over Tinubu’s Drug Allegations
The tension between Von Batten-Montague-York and the Nigerian presidency did not start today. For years, questions surrounding decades-old drug trafficking allegations linked to President Tinubu have resurfaced periodically, often triggering strong pushback from his allies and officials whenever the matter gains fresh attention in international circles.
The lobbying firm has positioned itself as a persistent voice pushing for transparency, repeatedly calling for the release of what it claims are relevant US records on the matter. This has, over time, put the firm on a collision course with Nigerian officials who view the campaign as a politically motivated attack on the president’s image.
With this latest allegation involving a serving Nigerian High Commissioner, the diplomatic and legal stakes appear to be rising, and many will be watching closely to see how both the Nigerian government and US authorities respond in the coming days.
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