A United States-based lobbying firm, Von Batten-Montague-York, L.C., has alleged that Nigerian High Commissioner-designate to South Africa, Femi Fani-Kayode, threatened its principal, Dr Karl Von Batten, with kidnapping and physical harm over his campaign concerning historical drug-related records involving President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The firm made the allegation in a statement circulated through its verified social media account, saying it had begun notifying United States authorities about what it described as a threat against Von Batten.
According to the firm, the alleged threat was linked to the growing dispute between Von Batten and Nigerian government officials over efforts to draw attention to old United States records connected to a 1993 civil forfeiture case involving funds associated with Tinubu.
“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 identified Fani-Kayode in its allegation and said it was considering legal action against the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the former Minister of Aviation over what it described as threats against its principal.
It also said it had preserved screenshots and other materials relating to the alleged communication.
Von Batten-Montague-York said the matter was being presented to American authorities as a possible case of what it described as “transnational repression”.
The term generally refers to efforts by governments or their agents to intimidate, threaten, harass or otherwise target people outside their own territory.
The firm said it planned to brief officials in the United States, including the Department of State and federal law enforcement agencies.
It also referred to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, FBI, and said the alleged incident would form part of information being presented to US authorities.
The accusation comes only days after Fani-Kayode publicly challenged the American firm to produce evidence for its claims concerning Tinubu and alleged drug trafficking.
In a statement published on September 19, Fani-Kayode argued that references to a 1993 US Department of Justice civil forfeiture complaint should not be presented as proof that Tinubu personally trafficked heroin.
“Investigation is not proof of involvement,” Fani-Kayode said.
He maintained that civil forfeiture proceedings are directed at property and should not be treated as a criminal conviction against an individual.
“I repeat, the 1993 complaint and 2026 FBI declaration show an investigation and a civil settlement over funds, not a finding that Tinubu personally smuggled heroin,” he said.
The former aviation minister also challenged Von Batten-Montague-York to provide evidence supporting its interpretation of the historical records.
The latest allegation has therefore added another layer to an increasingly public dispute involving Fani-Kayode, Von Batten and the Nigerian Presidency.
Fani-Kayode had earlier taken aim at Von Batten in a lengthy statement published in September.
He questioned the lobbyist’s claims about Tinubu and criticised the activities of his lobbying firm.
Fani-Kayode also questioned Von Batten’s identity and professional background, while accusing him of attempting to damage Tinubu’s reputation through the release and promotion of historical US records.
Von Batten-Montague-York responded by maintaining its position on the Tinubu records and accusing Nigerian officials and political figures of attempting to discredit its campaign.
The firm has also been involved in a separate controversy over an alleged $3 million offer to Von Batten.
Earlier in September, the firm claimed that Von Batten had received an unsolicited offer of $3 million and an invitation to a confidential meeting in London in an attempt to persuade him to stop his campaign concerning Tinubu.
The claim was rejected by the Presidency, with President Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Media and Public Communications, Sunday Dare, describing Von Batten as a commercial lobbyist rather than an official of the US government.
Dare also questioned the firm’s claims and its relationship with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.
According to publicly reported US Foreign Agents Registration Act filings, Von Batten-Montague-York has been engaged in lobbying work connected to Atiku.
The arrangement has reportedly been valued at $1.2 million for a 12-month period.
The firm’s campaign has focused heavily on historical US government records concerning Tinubu.
The records relate to a 1993 civil forfeiture case in the United States involving approximately $460,000 linked to accounts associated with Tinubu.
The case concerned the forfeiture of funds and did not result in a criminal conviction of Tinubu.
Tinubu has denied wrongdoing in relation to the allegations.
The Nigerian government has also disputed the way the historical records are being presented by Von Batten and its associates.
