Di legal fight between former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar US-based lobbyist, Karl Von Batten, and Nigeria Ambassador to South Africa, Femi Fani-Kayode, don escalate, as both sides dey threaten multimillion-dollar lawsuits for United States.
Von Batten-Montague-York, L. C., di lobbying firm wey Atiku engage, talk say dem don get clearance to proceed with $36 million federal lawsuit against Fani-Kayode and President Bola Tinubu over alleged threats to kidnap and physically harm Von Batten.
Di firm talk for statement on Wednesday say di suit go file next week before United States District Court for the District of Columbia.
According to di firm, di proposed action come from wetin e call threats wey Fani-Kayode allegedly make against Von Batten, and di firm claim say di threats connect to organised criminal conspiracy involving di Nigerian Presidency.
Di firm also talk say after filing di suit, e go contact United States, United Kingdom and European Union immigration authorities to seek review of Fani-Kayode travel or visa status in connection with di allegations.
Di proposed litigation na di latest development for di escalating dispute between Von Batten and Fani-Kayode over allegations concerning Tinubu.
For recent weeks, Von Batten firm don seek release of United States government records relating to Tinubu past dealings with US drug-enforcement authorities, including through Freedom of Information Act requests and related litigation.
Di firm talk for July say e don begin provide records concerning allegations against Tinubu to officials of di US Department of Justice, members of di Donald Trump administration, Congress and senior congressional staff.
Fani-Kayode don challenge Von Batten to substantiate him allegations and don deny say e threaten to kidnap or physically harm am.
For statement wey respond to di planned $36 million suit, Fani-Kayode talk say e no get interest to harm or kidnap Von Batten and insist say e act within di law.
E also talk say e go challenge Von Batten allegations through legal means.
Fani-Kayode later announce plan to institute $100 million lawsuit against Von Batten, alleging libel and defamation.
E talk say him lawyers go seek damages of at least $100 million for US court over wetin e describe as false and damaging allegations against am.
Di ambassador also talk say e go seek Von Batten extradition to Nigeria to face proceedings over alleged violations of Nigerian cybercrime and criminal-defamation laws.
Fani-Kayode challenge di lobbyist to make public any evidence wey support him allegation say he, Tinubu or di Federal Government threaten am.
E further reject allegations say di Nigerian government dey engage for kidnapping, physical harm or state-sponsored violence against political opponents or critics.
Di latest exchange follow series of statements and social media posts by both sides, with Von Batten continuing him campaign concerning US records linked to allegations against Tinubu, while Fani-Kayode don repeatedly dispute di claims and question di lobbyist assertions.
As of Thursday, di proposed $36 million action never confirmed as filed for US federal court.
Di allegations wey di lobbying firm make against Tinubu and Fani-Kayode, as well as Fani-Kayode counter-allegations against Von Batten, remain disputed and no court don establish dem.
