A US-based advocacy and lobbying firm, Von Batten-Montague-York, L.C., has alleged that Nigeria’s High Commissioner to South Africa, Femi Fani-Kayode, threatened to kidnap and physically harm its principal, Dr Karl Von Batten.
The firm made the allegation in a post on its verified X account, saying it had begun briefing the US Department of State over the alleged threat.
It also said a report had been forwarded to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) over what it described as possible “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 said.
The firm specifically named Fani-Kayode and said it was preparing to file a federal lawsuit against the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the former aviation minister over the alleged threats against Von Batten.
According to the firm, the alleged conduct was being documented as possible transnational repression, a term used to describe efforts by foreign governments or their agents to intimidate, threaten, harass or otherwise coerce individuals outside their borders.
It also said it intended to present the matter before a US federal court, including possible arguments relating to sovereign immunity under the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act.
The latest allegation comes amid an escalating public dispute between Von Batten-Montague-York and officials and political allies of President Bola Tinubu over the firm’s campaign concerning the release of historical US records relating to drug-trafficking allegations involving the Nigerian president.
Fani-Kayode has publicly criticised Von Batten and challenged the firm to provide evidence for its claims concerning Tinubu. In a September 19 statement, he argued that a 1993 US civil forfeiture complaint concerning funds was not a criminal conviction or finding that Tinubu personally trafficked heroin.
The US firm has maintained that it is pursuing the release and disclosure of records relating to the historical allegations and has said it intends to continue its advocacy.
The allegation that Fani-Kayode or the Nigerian Presidency threatened to kidnap or physically harm Von Batten has not been independently verified. There was no immediate public response from the Nigerian Presidency specifically addressing the allegation in the firm’s latest statement.
