Dr Von Batten: Tinubu, Fani-Kayode face $36m US lawsuit over alleged kidnap, death threats
A U.S. law firm representing former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has announced that it has received authorization to initiate a $36 million federal lawsuit against Nigerian President Bola Tinubu and former Minister of Aviation Femi Fani-Kayode. The lawsuit will be filed in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia.
In a statement released Wednesday, the firm, Von Batten Montague-York, outlined that the lawsuit stems from alleged threats of kidnapping and physical harm made by Fani-Kayode against Dr. Von Batten. These threats are purportedly linked to an organized criminal conspiracy involving the presidency of Nigeria.
The firm stated that the case will challenge the limits of the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act and head-of-state immunity while Tinubu remains in office. The complaint will be based on relevant D.C. tort laws, the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act, the Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act, and the Anti-Terrorism Act, specifically referencing 28 U.S.C. § 1605B and 18 U.S.C. §§ 2331 and 2333. Section 1605B addresses claims of international terrorism against foreign states, while § 2333 allows civil remedies for U.S. nationals meeting its statutory criteria.
Following the filing of the lawsuit, the firm plans to collaborate with U.S., U.K., and E.U. immigration authorities to examine the alleged threats and assess whether Fani-Kayode’s travel or visa status should be reviewed. U.S. immigration law includes provisions for inadmissibility related to terrorism, as outlined in INA § 212(a)(3)(B), and visa revocation authority under INA § 221(i). Decisions regarding these matters will be left to the appropriate authorities.
