El-Rufai Threatens ₦10bn Suit Against Defence Minister For Defamation

Former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai has threatened legal action against the Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa, demanding ₦10 billion in compensation over alleged defamatory statements made during a television programme.

El-Rufai’s lawyers, Chambers of Ubong Akpan, issued a letter before action dated September 7, 2026, giving Musa seven days to respond to the demands. The letter followed the minister’s appearance on Politics Today on September 3, where he discussed insecurity and developments in Kaduna State.

The legal team accused Musa of making statements that allegedly portrayed El-Rufai as having deliberately planned killings in Southern Kaduna, paid bandits and ordered demolitions of houses belonging to people with whom he had disagreements.

The lawyers described the allegations as false and defamatory, arguing that their combined meaning portrayed their client as a criminal, murderer and sponsor of banditry.

They demanded a prominent, unconditional and unambiguous retraction and apology from Musa through the same television programme. They also requested that the apology be published in two nationally circulating newspapers, including one with significant circulation in Northern Nigeria and another in Southern Nigeria.

El-Rufai’s lawyers denied the allegations, insisting that their client had never been involved in deliberately planning killings in Southern Kaduna. They also said he had consistently maintained that he would neither negotiate with nor pay bandits.

On the demolition allegation, the lawyers maintained that demolitions carried out during El-Rufai’s tenure as governor were conducted according to law and for public purposes.

They also rejected claims that the former governor’s administration divided Kaduna State along ethnic or religious lines, saying his government pursued policies intended to promote unity and development.

The legal team stressed that none of the allegations had been tested, proved or determined by a competent court and demanded that Musa provide evidence and disclose the sources, documents and reports relied upon in making the claims.

The lawyers further demanded preservation of recordings, transcripts, notes and other materials relating to Musa’s television appearance.

They said Musa must acknowledge receipt of the letter within 24 hours and provide a substantive response by 4pm on the seventh calendar day after effective receipt.

The ₦10 billion demand, they clarified, is being sought as compensation for alleged damage to El-Rufai’s reputation, distress and inconvenience, and has not been awarded by any court.