Von Batten-Montague-York announces $36m US lawsuit against Tinubu, Fani-Kayode
By KEMI KASUMU
“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,” it said.
United States-based firm Von Batten-Montague-York, L.C. has announced plans to institute a $36 million federal lawsuit against Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Ambassador-designate Femi Fani-Kayode at the United States District Court for the District of Columbia.
The firm made the announcement in a post on its X handle on Wednesday September 23, 2026, saying it had been “cleared and authorized” to proceed with the action.
According to the firm, the proposed suit arose from what it alleged were threats to kidnap and physically harm its principal, Dr. Von Batten, which it attributed to Fani-Kayode and described as part of an “organized criminal conspiracy involving the Nigerian Presidency.”
The firm wrote: “We have been cleared and authorized to proceed with a $36 million federal lawsuit against Nigerian President Bola Tinubu (@OfficialABAT) and Ambassador Femi Fani-Kayode in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia.”
It added that the case involving President Tinubu would test the application of the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act (FSIA) and head-of-state immunity while he remains in office.
“As to President #Tinubu, this case will test the limits of the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act and head-of-state immunity while Tinubu remains President,” the firm stated.
It said the proposed complaint would rely on applicable District of Columbia tort law, the FSIA, the Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act (JASTA) and the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA), including 28 U.S.C. §1605B and 18 U.S.C. §§2331 and 2333.
The firm explained that Section 1605B concerns specified international-terrorism claims against foreign states, while Section 2333 provides a civil remedy to U.S. nationals who meet the statutory requirements.
Von Batten-Montague-York also said it expected to file the lawsuit next week.
It further announced plans to engage immigration authorities in the United States, United Kingdom and European Union after filing the suit over what it described as the alleged threats against its principal.
“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,” it said.
The firm cited U.S. immigration provisions, including INA §212(a)(3)(B), 8 U.S.C. §1182(a)(3)(B), concerning terrorism-related grounds of inadmissibility, and INA §221(i), 8 U.S.C. §1201(i), concerning visa revocation.
It, however, acknowledged that any decision on immigration or visa status would rest with the appropriate authorities.
The announcement follows an escalating public dispute between Von Batten-Montague-York and Fani-Kayode over the firm’s campaign concerning the release of historical U.S. records relating to allegations involving President Tinubu. Fani-Kayode has publicly disputed the firm’s claims and challenged its interpretation of the historical records.
As of Wednesday, reports indicated that the $36 million lawsuit had not yet been confirmed as filed in the U.S. federal court, meaning the allegations and proposed claims remain the firm’s assertions pending the filing and any response or determination by the court.
