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 he described as false and 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 action 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.
According to El-Rufai’s lawyers, Musa alleged during the programme that their client had deliberately planned the killing of people and had paid bandits. The minister was also quoted as accusing the former governor of ordering the demolition of houses.
The lawyers argued that the remarks portrayed El-Rufai as a criminal, murderer and sponsor of banditry, as well as someone who victimised opponents through demolitions. They described the allegations as false and defamatory.
They demanded N10 billion as compensation for what they said was damage to El-Rufai’s reputation, as well as the distress and inconvenience allegedly caused by the statements.
The legal team clarified that the N10 billion was a demand for compensation and settlement, not an amount awarded by any court.
In addition, the lawyers requested a prominent, unconditional and unambiguous retraction, correction and apology from Musa on Politics Today. They also demanded that the apology be published in two national newspapers, including one with significant circulation in Northern Nigeria and another in Southern Nigeria.
On the allegation that El-Rufai planned killings in Southern Kaduna, his lawyers maintained that he had never been involved in such an offence and insisted that no evidence had been presented to substantiate the claim.
They also rejected the allegation that the former governor paid bandits, stating that El-Rufai had consistently maintained that he would neither negotiate with nor pay bandits.
Regarding demolitions carried out during El-Rufai’s tenure as governor, the lawyers said the actions were undertaken in accordance with the law and for public purposes. They also denied claims that his administration divided Kaduna State along ethnic or religious lines.
The lawyers further argued that none of the allegations had been tested or established by a court of competent jurisdiction and demanded strict proof of the claims.
They said Musa’s position as Defence Minister and retired Army general gave his statements considerable public weight, making the alleged remarks particularly damaging to El-Rufai’s reputation.
El-Rufai’s legal team also requested the preservation of recordings, transcripts, notes, communications, drafts and other materials connected to Musa’s television appearance. They further sought disclosure of the sources and documents relied upon for the allegations.
Musa was given seven calendar days from the effective receipt of the letter to meet the demands. Failure to comply, the lawyers warned, could result in legal proceedings seeking declaratory relief, damages, injunctions against further publication, disclosure orders, interest and legal costs.
Meanwhile, Muslim and Christian leaders in Southern Kaduna have appealed for restraint and dialogue over the dispute.
At a joint peace meeting in Kafanchan, the 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 the controversy to fuel religious or regional tensions.
Kasim described Musa as an upright man and senior military figure rather than a politician, while calling on members of the public, particularly social media users, to exercise restraint.
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