Von Batten-Montague-York, L.C., the Washington-based lobbying firm contracted by Atiku Abubakar in a $1.2 million annual deal, is itself facing increasing scrutiny as it escalates its campaign against President Bola Tinubu . The firm, signed in March 2026, was tasked with protecting Atiku’s reputational standing, offering policy advice, and countering the Nigerian government’s narratives in Washington .
The firm’s founder, who publicly goes by Dr. Karl Von Batten but whose records show a collection of names including Karl-Marx Edward Ikemefuna William George Okeke-Von Batten, has posted on X claiming that President Tinubu’s alleged past heroin ties make him a “U.S. liability.” Von Batten has contrasted the president with Atiku, whom he described as a “statesman,” and claimed that Tinubu’s planned meeting with US President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly will not happen.
Critics have questioned whether Atiku was misled about the firm’s tactics, which appear to be an escalation of the “perception management” and “reputational advisory services” outlined in the contract. The firm’s tactics have also drawn attention to its background. Von Batten’s LinkedIn profile lists the University of Oxford, Columbia University, Harvard University, and the New York Institute of Technology as his alma maters, though his professional CV from 2018 omitted Harvard and included Cornell University instead. He claims to be a US Army veteran who enlisted after the September 11, 2001 attacks, in which he says he was working on the 39th floor of the World Trade Centre.
The claims against Tinubu stem from a 1993 civil forfeiture case in the United States that involved about $460,000. However, President Tinubu has repeatedly denied any involvement in drug trafficking, and no criminal charges were ever filed against him. His legal team, led by Chris Carmichael, has argued in court that the release of records from the US Department of Justice, FBI and Drug Enforcement Administration would infringe on his privacy rights.
The UN General Assembly is scheduled to open on September 8, 2026, with High-level Week running from September 22 to 28. World leaders are expected to attend, making it a high-profile forum for any public campaign against the Nigerian president. The firm has also reportedly sought Trump administration sanctions on INEC and taken the ADC’s internal crisis to Washington . The debate over foreign lobbying and the use of decades-old allegations in political warfare is likely to intensify as the 2027 elections approach.
The winners: Atiku’s lobbying firm, which has generated headlines; and the Nigerian public, who are watching the drama unfold. The losers: President Tinubu, who faces renewed scrutiny over allegations that have never led to criminal charges; and the Nigerian government, which must manage the diplomatic fallout.
Bottom Line: A lobbying firm hired by Atiku is under scrutiny for threatening to embarrass Tinubu at the UN. The allegations are decades old. No criminal charges were ever filed. The question is whether this will backfire on the firm and its client.