US firm files $57m lawsuit against Tinubu, Fani-Kayode, others

A United States-based advocacy firm, Von Batten-Montague-York, has filed a $57 million lawsuit against Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, the Federal Government of Nigeria, former Aviation Minister Femi Fani-Kayode and DCI Group over alleged defamation and conspiracy to kidnap and physically harm its founder, Dr. Von Batten.

The firm disclosed this in a statement issued on Monday, stating that the suit was filed on 28 September 2026, at the United States District Court for the District of Columbia.

The statement reads “Announcement: On Monday, September 28, we filed suit in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia against Ambassador Femi Fani-Kayode, Nigerian President Bola Tinubu (@officialABAT), the Federal Government of Nigeria, and DCI Group for defamation and an alleged conspiracy to kidnap and physically harm Dr. Von Batten.

“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. We kept the lawsuit quiet while service was being effected on the foreign parties in accordance with the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act.

“The claims against both President #Tinubu and the Federal Government of Nigeria will face legal hurdles because of the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act, but this firm does not run from difficult cases, especially when we allege that a conspiracy was undertaken to defame Dr. Von Batten, kidnap him, and physically harm him in an effort to silence his @WhiteHouse and Congressional advocacy concerning @FBI and @DEAHQ records relating to President Tinubu and allegations of heroin trafficking.“