By Benson Daniel
Former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai has demanded ₦10 billion in compensation from the Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa, over remarks he described as defamatory, as northern groups have thrown their support behind the minister.
El-Rufai’s demand was contained in a letter before action dated September 7, 2026, issued by his lawyers and addressed to Musa following the minister’s appearance on a television programme on September 3.
During the programme, Musa discussed insecurity in Kaduna State and made allegations concerning the former governor’s administration. El-Rufai’s legal team said the remarks portrayed their client as someone who deliberately planned killings, paid bandits, ordered demolitions against opponents and contributed to ethnic and religious divisions in Kaduna State.
The lawyers described the allegations as false, defamatory and damaging to El-Rufai’s reputation. They demanded an unconditional public retraction and apology, alongside ₦10 billion in compensation for the alleged injury to his reputation, distress and inconvenience.
The legal team also demanded that any apology be made on the same television programme where the allegations were aired and published in two nationally circulating newspapers.
El-Rufai’s family has separately challenged the Defence Minister to provide evidence for the allegation that the former governor deliberately planned killings in Southern Kaduna. The family gave Musa seven days to substantiate the claim or withdraw it and apologise publicly.
The lawyers also rejected allegations that El-Rufai paid bandits, maintaining that the former governor had consistently denied negotiating with or paying armed groups. They similarly defended demolitions carried out during his administration, saying such actions were undertaken in accordance with the law and for public purposes.
They stressed that the allegations against their client had not been established by any court and demanded that the minister provide evidence to support the claims.
While the legal dispute escalated, the Coalition of Northern Elders for Peace and Development expressed support for Musa, arguing that the minister was entitled to speak about the experience of Kaduna State under El-Rufai’s administration.
The coalition accused the former governor’s eight-year tenure of leaving behind what it described as a record of controversial policies, division and maladministration. It said Musa’s comments should be viewed within the context of the security and political challenges experienced in the state during the period.
A separate group, the Kaduna State Muslim-Christian Network for Good Governance, also backed the minister. The organisation said Musa’s comments reflected concerns raised by residents about policies and actions taken during El-Rufai’s tenure between 2015 and 2023.
The group alleged that the administration dismissed large numbers of workers, took actions against traditional institutions and handled insecurity poorly. It also raised concerns over demolitions of homes and markets and alleged that some religious and community leaders who opposed government policies faced arrest or detention.
The allegations remain contested, with El-Rufai’s legal representatives insisting that Musa must prove the claims or withdraw them.
The dispute has added a new legal and political dimension to the growing disagreement between the former governor and the Defence Minister. Musa has yet to publicly accept the demands contained in the letter, while El-Rufai’s lawyers have warned that failure to comply within the stipulated period could lead to legal action.
The ₦10 billion being demanded is a claim made by El-Rufai’s lawyers and has not been awarded by any court.
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