Former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai has demanded N10 billion in compensation and a public apology from the Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (retd.), over statements the former governor described as defamatory.
The demand was contained in a letter before action dated September 7, 2026, issued by El-Rufai’s lawyers, Chambers of Ubong Akpan, and addressed to Musa at the Federal Ministry of Defence in Abuja.
The legal threat followed Musa’s appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today on September 3, during which the minister discussed insecurity in Kaduna State and made allegations concerning the former governor’s administration.
According to El-Rufai’s lawyers, Musa made statements alleging that the former governor deliberately planned killings, paid bandits and ordered demolitions, among other claims.
The lawyers argued that the statements were false and defamatory, saying they portrayed their client as a criminal, murderer and sponsor of banditry.
They demanded a “prominent, unconditional and unambiguous” retraction, correction and apology, to be made on Politics Today and published in two nationally circulating newspapers.
The legal team also demanded N10 billion as compensation for what it described as the injury to El-Rufai’s reputation, as well as the distress and inconvenience allegedly caused by the statements.
The lawyers stressed that the amount being demanded was a proposed settlement and not damages awarded by any court.
El-Rufai Denies Allegations
In the letter, El-Rufai’s lawyers denied the allegations made against their client.
They said the former governor had never been involved in deliberately planning killings in Southern Kaduna and maintained that no evidence had been produced to substantiate such a claim.
On the allegation that El-Rufai paid bandits, his lawyers said he had consistently maintained that he would neither negotiate with nor pay bandits.
They also defended demolitions carried out during his administration, saying they were conducted in accordance with the law and for public purposes.
The lawyers further rejected claims that El-Rufai’s administration deliberately divided Kaduna State along ethnic or religious lines.
They argued that none of the allegations had been tested or established by a court of competent jurisdiction and demanded strict proof from the minister.
Lawyers Give Seven-Day Deadline
El-Rufai’s legal team gave Musa seven calendar days from the effective date of receipt of the letter to comply with its demands.
The lawyers also requested the preservation and disclosure of recordings, transcripts, notes, communications and source materials relating to Musa’s television appearance.
They demanded details of the sources and documents relied upon by the minister in making the allegations and sought an undertaking that Musa would not repeat or republish the statements.
The lawyers warned that failure to comply could lead to legal action, including claims for damages, injunctions, declaratory relief, interest and legal costs.
Religious Leaders Call for Restraint
Amid the controversy, Muslim and Christian leaders in Southern Kaduna have appealed for peace, restraint and dialogue.
The appeal was made during a joint peace meeting in Kafanchan involving leaders under the Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI) and the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN).
Chairman of the Council of Imams, Southern Kaduna, Imam Muhammed Kabir Kasim, urged Nigerians to consider the context of Musa’s comments and avoid allowing social media reactions to deepen tensions.
Similarly, the Chairman of JNI, Southern Kaduna/Jema’a, Mallam Garba Alhassan Adamu, called on religious leaders to use responsible language when addressing sensitive national issues.
The Chairman of CAN in Kachia Local Government Area, Rev. Ezekiel Jock, also urged Christians and Muslims to separate political disagreements from religious and regional identities.
He warned against provocative or misleading social media content capable of worsening tensions between communities.
Group Backs Musa
Meanwhile, the Kaduna State Muslim-Christian Network for Good Governance has expressed support for Musa, describing his comments about the former administration as an “honest and patriotic assessment.”
The group accused the El-Rufai administration of divisive and arbitrary policies between 2015 and 2023, citing issues including the treatment of traditional rulers and workers, insecurity, demolitions and alleged actions against religious leaders.
The network said Musa’s remarks reflected what it described as the experiences of residents during the period.
It also called for unity in Kaduna State and expressed support for Musa’s current role as Defence Minister.
The dispute has now escalated into a potential defamation case, with El-Rufai seeking N10 billion, a public apology and a retraction from the Defence Minister.
