EL RUFAI DEMANDS ₦10 BILLION FROM DEFENCE MINISTER CHRISTOPHER MUSA OVER ALLEGED DEFAMATORY COMMENTS
Former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El Rufai has issued a legal demand to Nigeria's Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa, seeking a public apology, retraction and ₦10 billion in compensation over allegedly defamatory statements made during a television interview.
The demand followed Musa's appearance on Channels Television's Politics programme on September 3, 2026, during which he made a series of serious allegations concerning El Rufai's time as governor of Kaduna State.
Through his lawyers, El Rufai has rejected the allegations as false and damaging to his reputation.
LAWYERS CHALLENGE SERIOUS ALLEGATIONS
According to the legal demand, El Rufai's lawyers objected to comments allegedly accusing the former governor of responsibility for or involvement in issues including killings in Southern Kaduna, payments to bandits, demolition of properties belonging to people with whom he disagreed and the division of Kaduna State along ethnic and religious lines.
Musa also accused El Rufai of pursuing what he described as a policy of divide and rule during his administration.
El Rufai denies the allegations.
His lawyers maintain that the statements presented him as a person involved in serious wrongdoing and damaged his standing in the eyes of Nigerians and the international community.
₦10 BILLION COMPENSATION DEMANDED
El Rufai's legal team is demanding ₦10 billion in compensation for what it describes as damage caused by the statements.
The lawyers are also demanding that Musa retract the disputed comments and issue a public apology.
According to the demand, the apology should be broadcast on Channels Television and published in two national newspapers.
It is important to note that the ₦10 billion has not been awarded by any court.
It represents the amount currently being demanded by El Rufai's lawyers as part of the dispute.
LAWYERS DEMAND SOURCES AND EVIDENCE
The legal team is also demanding that Musa disclose the sources, documents and other materials he relied upon when making the allegations.
They have instructed him to preserve recordings, notes, communications and other evidence connected to the television interview.
El Rufai's lawyers are further seeking a written undertaking that the allegations will not be repeated or republished.
The letter reportedly requires acknowledgement within 24 hours and a substantive response through legal representatives within seven days.
COURT ACTION THREATENED
If the demands are not met, El Rufai's lawyers say they may commence legal proceedings.
Potential remedies listed in the demand include damages, injunctions preventing further publication of the disputed allegations, disclosure orders, legal costs and other relief considered appropriate by the court.
The legal demand itself does not establish that Musa defamed El Rufai.
If proceedings are filed, a court would ultimately have to consider the disputed statements, available evidence and any legal defences raised by the Defence Minister.
The development potentially sets the stage for a major legal confrontation between one of Nigeria's most prominent former governors and the country's Defence Minister.
VNTV
