US Firm Sues Tinubu, Fani-Kayode, Others for $57m Over Alleged Defamation
A United States-based advocacy firm, Von Batten-Montague-York, has filed a $57 million lawsuit against Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Federal Government of Nigeria, former Aviation Minister Femi Fani-Kayode and DCI Group over alleged defamation and other claims.
The firm disclosed this in a statement issued on Monday, saying the lawsuit was filed on September 28, 2026, at the United States District Court for the District of Columbia.
According to the organisation, the case centres on allegations of defamation and an alleged conspiracy to kidnap and physically harm its founder, Dr Von Batten.
The firm said it is seeking $36 million jointly from President Tinubu and the Federal Government of Nigeria.
It is also demanding $3 million from Fani-Kayode individually, while another $18 million is being sought from DCI Group.
The separate claims amount to a total of $57 million, according to the firm.
In its statement, Von Batten-Montague-York said it had kept details of the lawsuit private while legal documents were being served on the foreign defendants.
The organisation said the service of the lawsuit was being carried out in accordance with the United States Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act.
The lawsuit names Tinubu, the Federal Government of Nigeria, Fani-Kayode and DCI Group as defendants.
The allegations, including the claim of a conspiracy to kidnap and physically harm Dr Von Batten, are claims made by the advocacy firm and have not been established by a court.
The case will now proceed through the United States District Court for the District of Columbia, where the claims and responses from the defendants will be considered under the applicable legal process.
The development comes as the US-based firm seeks damages from the Nigerian president, the Federal Government and the other defendants over the allegations outlined in its lawsuit.
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