Former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai has threatened to take legal action against the Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa, over statements he claims were defamatory and made about him during a television interview.
El-Rufai’s lawyers issued a formal letter of claim on Monday, September 7, 2026, demanding that the minister withdraw the alleged defamatory statements, apologise to the former governor and preserve any evidence connected to the broadcast.
The letter was issued by the Chambers of Ubong Akpan on behalf of El-Rufai. His legal team said the disputed remarks were made by Musa during a television programme aired on September 3.
According to the lawyers, the minister made several comments relating to banditry, killings, demolitions and ransom payments, as well as allegations concerning El-Rufai’s actions while he was governor of Kaduna State.
El-Rufai’s lawyers described the statements as damaging to their client’s reputation and argued that the broadcast had a wide reach because it remained available through television stations, satellite platforms and online streaming services.
The legal team has given Musa and his representatives 24 hours to confirm receipt of the letter. They are also expected to provide a full written response to the demands within seven days.
The former governor’s lawyers warned that failure to resolve the matter within the stated period could lead to further legal steps. They said El-Rufai would consider all legal options available to him.
The dispute follows recent public exchanges involving El-Rufai and Musa over issues relating to security and events in Kaduna State during the former governor’s administration.
Musa had recently made allegations concerning El-Rufai’s administration during a television appearance, while El-Rufai has now responded through his lawyers rather than directly engaging the minister.
At this stage, the claims contained in the legal letter are allegations by El-Rufai’s legal team, and no court has ruled on whether the statements complained about are defamatory.