Von Batten-Montague-York, a US-based lobbying firm engaged by former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, says it will file a $36 million lawsuit against President Bola Tinubu and Femi Fani-Kayode, Nigeria’s ambassador to South Africa, over alleged threats against the firm’s owner, Karl Von Batten.

The firm said in a statement on Wednesday that the suit would be filed next week at a US district court in Washington, DC.

According to the firm, the case followed alleged threats by Fani-Kayode to kidnap and physically harm Von Batten, which it described as part of an alleged organised criminal conspiracy involving the Nigerian Presidency.

The firm also said it would engage US, UK and EU immigration authorities over the allegations and ask whether Fani-Kayode’s travel or visa status should be reviewed.

The planned lawsuit follows a series of posts by Fani-Kayode on X in which he criticised Von Batten over the lobbyist’s allegations concerning Tinubu.

Von Batten’s firm has in recent weeks sought US government records concerning Tinubu’s past dealings with US drug-enforcement authorities, including through Freedom of Information Act requests and related litigation.

In July, the firm said it had submitted records concerning allegations against Tinubu to officials in the US Department of Justice, members of the Donald Trump administration and congressional staff.

Fani-Kayode has challenged Von Batten to substantiate his allegations against Tinubu and denied threatening to kidnap or harm him.

He said he was not interested in killing or kidnapping Von Batten, while accusing him and his company of making allegations against the Nigerian president and government.

Fani-Kayode also said he would continue to challenge Von Batten’s claims within the law.