Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has given Defence Minister, General Christopher Musa, seven days to retract alleged defamatory statements against him.
El-Rufai is also demanding ₦10 billion in damages, a public apology and the withdrawal of the allegations.
The demands were contained in a letter before action dated September 7, 2026, issued by El-Rufai’s lawyers, Chambers of Ubong Akpan.
The letter was reportedly delivered to Musa at the Federal Ministry of Defence in Abuja.
The legal action followed comments made by Musa during his appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today on September 3.
During the programme, Musa discussed insecurity and the history of violence in Kaduna State.
According to El-Rufai’s lawyers, the minister made allegations linking their client to violence in Southern Kaduna.
They alleged that Musa accused El-Rufai of deliberately planning killings and making payments to bandits.
The lawyers argued that the statements portrayed their client as a criminal, murderer and sponsor of banditry.
They said the allegations had caused serious damage to El-Rufai’s reputation.
Consequently, the former governor is demanding ₦10 billion in compensation over the alleged defamatory statements.
He is also demanding an unconditional public apology from the Defence Minister.
The apology, according to the lawyers, must be published in two national newspapers.
El-Rufai’s legal team is further demanding documents and evidence supporting the allegations made against him.
The lawyers want Musa to disclose the sources upon which his claims were based.
They also want the minister to undertake not to repeat the alleged defamatory statements.
Musa has been given seven days to respond to the demands.
El-Rufai’s lawyers warned that failure to comply could lead to further legal action, including a possible defamation suit.
Meanwhile, the Middle Belt Forum has backed Musa and urged him not to withdraw his allegations.
The group claimed that it had evidence supporting the Defence Minister’s position.
Religious leaders in Southern Kaduna, under the Jama’atu Nasril Islam and the Christian Association of Nigeria, have separately called for restraint and peace.
Their intervention comes amid growing concerns that the dispute could further heighten tensions over the region’s history of insecurity.
As of the latest reports, Musa had not publicly responded to El-Rufai’s demands.
The seven-day deadline has now placed the dispute at a critical stage, with possible court action looming if the demands are not met.
