Former Minister of Aviation Femi Fani-Kayode has reacted to threats of legal action reportedly issued by Ikemefuna, also known as Mrs. Karl Von Batten, challenging him to make public evidence supporting his allegations against President Bola Tinubu, the Federal Government and himself.
Fani-Kayode, in a strongly worded response, dismissed the reported threat to sue him and President Tinubu for $36 million, as well as an alleged plan to seek visa restrictions against them in the United States, United Kingdom and European Union.
The former minister questioned why Ikemefuna would require anyone’s authorisation to institute a legal action, while also mocking the reported amount being demanded.
Fani-Kayode further challenged Von Batten to publicly produce what he described as evidence of alleged threats against him by the President, the Federal Government and himself.
According to Fani-Kayode, the allegations attributed to Von Batten include claims that government officials or individuals linked to the administration were planning to kidnap, detain, physically harm or kill him.
Fani-Kayode rejected those allegations and maintained that the Nigerian Government does not engage in the targeting, kidnapping or killing of opposition figures.
He also denied any suggestion that he or the government had contemplated harming Von Batten, describing such allegations as unfounded.
Turning the tables on his accuser, Fani-Kayode said he would be instructing his lawyers to pursue legal action over what he described as defamatory statements and malicious allegations.
He said he would seek damages of at least $100 million in a United States court over what he characterised as libellous claims against him.
Fani-Kayode also said he would seek Von Batten’s extradition to Nigeria to face what he described as alleged violations of Nigeria’s cybercrime laws and criminal defamation laws.
From now on it is lawyer to lawyer. See you in court,” Fani-Kayode said in the statement.
The latest exchange marks another escalation in the public dispute involving Fani-Kayode and Von Batten.
Fani-Kayode referred to an earlier article in which he questioned Von Batten’s allegations and again challenged him to provide documentary or other verifiable evidence to support his claims.
He also made allegations concerning Von Batten’s professional activities and previous public statements, including claims about representations regarding links to the US administration. These assertions were presented by Fani-Kayode as part of his argument that Von Batten should not be taken seriously.
The statement also contained allegations involving former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, whom Fani-Kayode accused of financing an international campaign against President Tinubu. Those claims were made by Fani-Kayode and were not independently established in the statement.
The competing threats of legal action could now shift the dispute from social media and public statements to formal legal proceedings.
For now, Fani-Kayode’s central challenge remains that Von Batten should publicly provide evidence for the allegations he has made against the President, the Federal Government and the former minister.
The claims and counterclaims remain allegations unless established through credible evidence or a court of law.
