US-based firm has filed $57m lawsuit against Tinubu, Nigeria, and Fani-Kayode.
NewsOnline Nigeria reports that a United States-based advocacy firm, Von Batten-Montague-York, has filed a $57 million lawsuit against President Bola Tinubu, the Federal Government of Nigeria, former Aviation Minister Femi Fani-Kayode and DCI Group over allegations of defamation and a conspiracy to kidnap and physically harm its founder, Dr Karl Von Batten.
The case was filed on September 28, 2026, at the United States District Court for the District of Columbia, according to federal court records. The case is registered as Von Batten v. Tinubu et al., Case No. 1:2026cv03374.
ALSO: Many Feared Dead as Helicopter Crashes in Igbokoda, Ondo
The lawsuit lists Tinubu, the Federal Government of Nigeria, Fani-Kayode and DCI Group AZ, LLC among the defendants. The court docket categorises the case as an assault, libel and slander matter and cites the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act as a cause of action.
In a statement issued Monday, the firm said it was seeking $36 million jointly from Tinubu and the Federal Government of Nigeria, $3 million from Fani-Kayode individually and $18 million from DCI Group.
The firm said it had initially kept the lawsuit private while service was being effected on the foreign defendants in accordance with the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act.
According to the statement: “The lawsuit seeks $36 million jointly against President Bola Tinubu and the Federal Government of Nigeria, $3 million against Ambassador Fani-Kayode individually, and $18 million against DCI Group.”
The firm acknowledged that its claims against Tinubu and the Nigerian government could face legal challenges because of the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act.
It nevertheless alleged that a conspiracy was undertaken to defame Von Batten, kidnap him and physically harm him in an attempt to silence his advocacy in Washington concerning records held by the US Federal Bureau of Investigation and Drug Enforcement Administration relating to allegations involving President Tinubu.
The allegations contained in the lawsuit are claims by the plaintiff and have not been established by a court.
The case was filed with a jury demand, while the court docket identifies US District Judge Randolph Moss as the presiding judge.
The latest lawsuit follows another case filed by Von Batten in the same federal court in September against Sahara Reporters Media Group and Ademola Bello. That case, filed on September 15, 2026, seeks damages over alleged defamation.
The new lawsuit is now before the US District Court for the District of Columbia, where the defendants will have the opportunity to respond to the allegations.
