Former presidential spokesman and host of Channels TV’s Inside Sources, Laolu Akande, has said his lawyers will meet US lobbyist Mr. Karl Von Batten in court over a defamation suit filed in the US District Court for the District of Columbia.
Akande, who confirmed that his legal team also represents co-defendants Ademola Bello, Sahara Reporters and Channels TV’s Inside Sources, said the matter will be defended on its merits.
In an earlier tweet, Akande had asked Von Batten to comment on documentary proof that the US lobbyist also known as Ikemefuna Okeke was convicted of domestic violence years ago.
The suit, Von Batten v Sahara Reporters Media Group Inc & Ors, Case No. 1:26-cv-03209, was originally filed against Sahara Reporters and reporter Ademola Bello over a September 14, 2026 article titled “The Talented Mr Karl Marx Von Batten…” which questioned Von Batten’s credentials and lobbying contract.
The complaint was amended on September 21 to add Akande, trading as Empowered Newswire, and Channels Incorporated Limited, after Inside Sources examined Von Batten’s record. The plaintiff, Von Batten-Montague-York LC, announced on November 2 that Akande had been served.
Court filings reviewed show that Von Batten is proceeding pro se at this stage in the defamation action. This means he is representing his firm himself without an external law firm on record.
Von Batten-Montague-York is registered under FARA as a lobbyist for former Vice President Atiku Abubakar. FARA filings list the engagement as $1.2 million for 12 months. FARA registration does not disclose how litigation is funded.
In a separate but related FOIA litigation over FBI/DEA records – Greenspan v Executive Office for US Attorneys, Case No. 23-cv-1816 – Judge Beryl A. Howell on October 30 dismissed a motion by non-party Karl Von Batten seeking leave to file an amicus curiae brief.
The court also dismissed similar requests for discovery in that FOIA case. According to the Nigeria Lawyer’s report of the ruling, the court found the proposed amicus “largely repeated arguments already before it and included material whose accuracy was disputed”.
Notable Nigerian lawyers following the matter in Washington say Akande and co-defendants could explore counter-claims if they can prove the suit impugns their professional integrity by alleging, without evidence, that they are being used by the Nigerian government.
Under DC law, potential grounds that lawyers might test include:
“Malicious prosecution / abuse of process – if they can show the suit was filed with improper purpose and without probable cause.”
“Anti-SLAPP – DC has a strong Anti-SLAPP statute (DC Code 16-5502) that allows early dismissal of suits filed to chill speech on public interest matters, with attorney fees awarded to defendants,” the statement added.