Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has demanded N10bn in compensation from the Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (retd.), over alleged defamatory statements made during a televised interview.
El-Rufai’s lawyers, Chambers of Ubong Akpan, made the demand in a letter before action dated Monday, September 7, 2026, and addressed to Musa at the Federal Ministry of Defence in Abuja.
The letter followed Musa’s appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today on September 3, during which he discussed insecurity in Kaduna State and made allegations concerning the former governor.
According to the letter, Musa alleged that El-Rufai had “deliberately planned for the killing of our people,” claimed that “he told us he paid bandits,” and accused him of sending a bulldozer to demolish a house.
El-Rufai’s lawyers described the allegations as false and defamatory, arguing that their combined effect portrayed their client as a criminal, murderer, sponsor of banditry and a person of “the most base and depraved character.”
They demanded a prominent, unconditional and unambiguous retraction and public apology from the minister, to be made on Politics Today with at least the same prominence as the original statements.
The lawyers also requested that the apology be published in two nationally circulating newspapers—one principally circulating in Northern Nigeria and another in Southern Nigeria.
On the allegation that El-Rufai paid bandits, the lawyers said their client had consistently maintained that he would neither negotiate with nor pay bandits.
They also rejected the allegation concerning demolitions, maintaining that demolitions undertaken during El-Rufai’s tenure as governor were carried out in accordance with the law and for public purposes.
The lawyers further denied that the former governor’s administration divided Kaduna State along ethnic or religious lines, arguing that his government pursued policies aimed at promoting unity and development across the state.
They stressed that none of the allegations had been tested, proved or determined by a court of competent jurisdiction and demanded strict proof of each claim.
The lawyers argued that Musa’s position as Defence Minister and retired Army general gave his statements additional weight and credibility, thereby allegedly causing greater damage to El-Rufai’s reputation.
They also accused the minister of failing to adequately verify the allegations before making them publicly.
Beyond the retraction and apology, the lawyers demanded the preservation of all recordings, transcripts, notes, drafts, communications and source materials relating to Musa’s appearance on the programme.
They further requested disclosure of the sources, documents and reports allegedly relied upon by the minister, as well as relevant information concerning the programme’s reach and audience engagement.
The lawyers also demanded a signed undertaking from Musa not to repeat, republish or cause the republication of the allegedly defamatory statements or allegations of substantially similar effect.
On the financial claim, they stated that El-Rufai had instructed them to demand N10bn “as compensation for the injury to his reputation and the distress and inconvenience occasioned.”
The lawyers clarified that the N10bn represented a settlement and compensation demand and was not damages already awarded or agreed upon.
Musa was given seven calendar days from the effective date of receipt of the letter to comply with the demands, while the lawyers requested written acknowledgement of receipt within 24 hours.
They warned that failure to respond substantively within the stipulated period could lead to legal action, including claims for declaratory relief, damages, injunctions restraining further publication, preservation and disclosure orders, interest and legal costs.
The letter was made public by Bello El-Rufai, a member of the House of Representatives and one of the former governor’s sons, who shared it on Facebook.
