WASHINGTON, USA — United States-based firm Von Batten-Montague-York, L.C. has announced plans to institute a $36 million federal lawsuit against President Bola Tinubu and Ambassador Femi Fani-Kayode at the United States District Court for the District of Columbia.
The firm made the announcement on its X handle on Wednesday, September 23, 2026, saying it had been “cleared and authorized” to proceed with the proposed action.
According to the firm, the planned lawsuit stems from alleged threats to kidnap and physically harm its principal, Dr. Von Batten, which it attributed to Fani-Kayode and characterised as part of an alleged “organised criminal conspiracy involving the Nigerian Presidency.”
The firm wrote: “We have been cleared and authorized to proceed with a $36 million federal lawsuit against Nigerian President Bola Tinubu (@OfficialABAT) and Ambassador Femi Fani-Kayode in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia.”
It said the proposed case against Tinubu would also test the application of the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act and head-of-state immunity while he remains in office.
“As to President #Tinubu, this case will test the limits of the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act and head-of-state immunity while Tinubu remains President,” the firm stated.
Von Batten-Montague-York said its proposed complaint would rely on applicable District of Columbia tort law, the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act, the Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act and the Anti-Terrorism Act.
It specifically cited 28 U.S.C. §1605B and 18 U.S.C. §§2331 and 2333, provisions it said could be relevant to its proposed claims.
The firm also said it expected to file the lawsuit next week.
Beyond the proposed court action, the firm announced plans to contact immigration authorities in the United States, United Kingdom and European Union following the filing.
It said it would raise questions concerning what it described as alleged extrajudicial threats against its principal and whether Fani-Kayode’s travel or visa status warranted review.
“After filing next week, we will engage with U.S., U.K., and E.U. immigration authorities regarding the alleged extrajudicial threats and whether Ambassador Fani-Kayode’s travel or visa status warrants review,” it said.
The firm cited provisions of U.S. immigration law, including INA §212(a)(3)(B), 8 U.S.C. §1182(a)(3)(B), concerning terrorism-related grounds of inadmissibility, and INA §221(i), 8 U.S.C. §1201(i), concerning visa revocation.
It acknowledged, however, that any decision regarding immigration or visa status would be made by the relevant authorities.
The announcement comes amid an escalating public dispute between Von Batten-Montague-York and Fani-Kayode over the firm’s campaign concerning the release of historical U.S. records relating to allegations involving Tinubu.
Fani-Kayode has publicly disputed the firm’s claims and challenged its interpretation of the historical records.
As of Wednesday, September 23, there was no indication in the material available that the proposed $36 million action had already been filed or accepted by the U.S. federal court.
Consequently, the allegations, legal theories and claims outlined by Von Batten-Montague-York remain assertions by the firm pending any formal filing, responses from the named parties and eventual determination by a court.
