Lawyers to former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, have demanded ₦10 billion in damages from Defence Minister, General Christopher Musa (retd.), over alleged defamatory remarks made about their client.
The demand was contained in a letter before action dated September 7, 2026, and addressed to Musa at the Federal Ministry of Defence in Abuja.
The legal threat followed the minister’s appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today on September 3, where he discussed insecurity in Kaduna State and made allegations concerning the former governor.
According to El-Rufai’s lawyers, Musa accused the former governor of deliberately planning the killing of people in Southern Kaduna and paying bandits.
The lawyers further alleged that the minister claimed El-Rufai ordered the demolition of houses and used the exercise against his political opponents.
In the letter, Akpan Ubong Chambers described the allegations as false and defamatory, arguing that they portrayed El-Rufai as a criminal, murderer and sponsor of banditry.
The legal team demanded a public retraction and apology, as well as ₦10 billion in compensation for what it described as damage to El-Rufai’s reputation.
The lawyers also denied that El-Rufai paid bandits, saying the former governor had consistently maintained that he would neither negotiate with nor pay bandits.
On the demolition allegations, the lawyers said properties were demolished during El-Rufai’s tenure in accordance with the law and for public purposes.
They also rejected claims that his administration divided Kaduna State along ethnic and religious lines, maintaining that its policies were designed to promote unity and development.
The legal team argued that the allegations against El-Rufai had not been tested, proved or determined by any court of competent jurisdiction, and demanded strict proof from the minister.
Family Issues Separate Seven-Day Ultimatum
Separately, El-Rufai’s family has demanded the immediate retraction of the allegation that the former governor actively planned killings in Southern Kaduna.
In a statement issued on Monday and signed by Honourable Mohammed Bello El-Rufai on behalf of the family, the allegation was described as grave and unsubstantiated.
The family said no evidence was presented to support the claim.
It added that while Musa was entitled to express his personal opinion, he should be prepared to substantiate such a serious allegation with credible evidence.
The family gave the minister seven days from the date of its statement to provide evidence supporting the allegation or issue a full public retraction and apology through the same medium.
It warned that failure to comply would leave the family with no option but to pursue all appropriate legal remedies available under the law.
El-Rufai lawyers demand ₦10bn from Defence Minister Musa over alleged defamatory remarks and seek a public apology and retraction.
El-Rufai, Christopher Musa, ₦10bn damages, defamation, Kaduna State, Southern Kaduna, Defence Minister
El-Rufai’s lawyers demand ₦10bn damages from Defence Minister Christopher Musa
