{
  "id": 9567626,
  "title": "Fani-Kayode Threatens $100m Suit Against Atiku’s US Lobbyist",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/24/fani-kayode-threatens-100m-suit-against-atikus-us-lobbyist",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-24T10:19:08.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Daily Trust",
    "slug": "daily-trust",
    "url": "https://dailytrust.com/fani-kayode-threatens-100m-suit-against-atikus-us-lobbyist/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Nigeria's ambassador to South Africa, Femi Fani-Kayode, has warned he will pursue a $100 million counter-suit against US lobbyist Karl Von Batten for alleged defamatory remarks. This follows Von Batten's announcement of a $36 million lawsuit against Fani-Kayode and President Bola Tinubu for threats to kidnap and physically harm Von Batten. The dispute has escalated from social media to legal proceedings. Von Batten's lobbying firm, engaged by former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, plans to file the lawsuit at the US District Court for the District of Columbia. Fani-Kayode dismissed Von Batten's claims, questioning the basis for his proposed action and demanding evidence of threats. He accused Von Batten of making unsubstantiated allegations against Tinubu and the Nigerian government. The ambassador also threatened to seek Von Batten's extradition to Nigeria for alleged violations of cybercrime laws and criminal defamation.",
  "summary": "Nigeria’s Ambassador to South Africa, Femi Fani-Kayode, has threatened to institute a $100 million counter-suit against United States-based lobbyist Karl Von Batten over alleged defamatory statements made against him in the escalating dispute involving President Bola Tinubu. Fani-Kayode also said he would seek Von Batten’s extradition to Nigeria over alleged “violations of the country’s…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}