A United States lobbying firm, Von Batten-Montague-York, L.C., has accused Nigerian High Commissioner to South Africa, Femi Fani-Kayode, of threatening to kidnap and physically harm its principal, Dr Karl Von Batten, over his amplification of the drug case involving President Bola Tinubu.
The firm made the allegation in a post on its verified X handle, stating that it had begun briefing the US Department of State over the threat.
According to the firm, a report had also been forwarded to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, FBI, over ‘transnational repression’.
“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.
Von Batten-Montague-York, L.C. specifically named Fani-Kayode, stressing that it was preparing to file a lawsuit against the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the former aviation minister over the alleged threats against Von Batten.
The firm added that the alleged conduct was being documented as possible transnational repression, which the US Department of Justice defines as tactics used by foreign governments to harm, intimidate, threaten, harass or coerce individuals beyond their borders.
It equally cited US federal law concerning international terrorism, saying it intends to present the matter, including possible sovereign-immunity arguments under the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act, before a federal court for determination.
This is coming amid a growing confrontation between Von Batten-Montague-York and officials and political allies of President Tinubu over the firm’s campaign for the release of US records relating to historical drug-trafficking allegations involving the President.
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