Von Batten-Montague-York, L.C., a Washington-based advocacy firm, has filed the civil action on Monday, 28 September 2026.
The firm announced the filing publicly on Monday, 5 October 2026, after keeping it quiet while service was effected.
The lawsuit alleges defamation and a conspiracy to kidnap and physically harm Dr Karl Von Batten, the firm’s founder.
Court records list the case as Von Batten v. Tinubu and others, case number 1:26 cv 03374, before Judge Randolph D. Moss.
The docket describes the nature of the suit as assault, libel and slander, with the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act cited as the cause.
Named defendants include Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Federal Government of the Republic of Nigeria, Femi Fani-Kayode, DCI Group AZ, LLC, and John Does 1 to 10.
The Damages Sought
The $57 million claim breaks down as follows: $36 million jointly from President Tinubu and the Federal Government of Nigeria.
A further $3 million is sought from Ambassador Fani-Kayode individually.
The remaining $18 million is sought from DCI Group.
The firm said the alleged conspiracy was undertaken to silence Dr Von Batten’s advocacy before the White House and Congress.
That advocacy concerns Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) records relating to President Tinubu and allegations of heroin trafficking.
Nigerian reports have identified the firm as a lobbyist engaged by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, President Tinubu’s political rival.
The firm has been pushing in the US for the release of FBI and DEA records concerning past allegations involving Tinubu.
Fani-Kayode’s Response
Ambassador Fani-Kayode, Nigeria’s envoy to South Africa and a former minister, rejected the allegations before the suit was filed.
He challenged the firm to publish any evidence of threats by him, the President, or the Federal Government.
He said he would seek at least $100 million for what he called libellous falsehood and vicious slander.
He also threatened to pursue Dr Von Batten’s extradition to Nigeria over alleged violations of cybercrime laws and criminal defamation.
“Nigeria is not a Banana Republic,” Fani-Kayode said.
He added that the government does not target, kidnap, harm, or kill opposition figures.
The firm acknowledged that the claims against President Tinubu and the Federal Government will face legal hurdles because of sovereign immunity.
Under the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act, foreign states are generally protected from lawsuits in US courts, with limited exceptions.
The firm said it does not run from difficult cases.
