Aliko Dangote Issues N100bn Defamation Threat to Kaduna Businessman Over Alleged Libel

Aliko Dangote Issues N100bn Defamation Threat to Kaduna Businessman Over Alleged Libel

President of Dangote Group, Dr. Aliko Dangote, has issued a seven-day ultimatum to Kaduna-based businessman Engr. Kailani Mohammed to retract alleged libellous statements or face a N100bn defamation lawsuit.

In a letter dated December 20, 2025, served by Dangote’s lawyer, Senior Advocate of Nigeria Dr. Ogwu James Onoja of Onoja Law Firm, Abuja, Dangote demanded a public explanation, retraction, and unreserved apology over claims that he engaged in “unclean business” activities in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, in the 1980s.

The letter accused Mohammed of making false and damaging allegations questioning Dangote’s source of wealth and integrity as Africa’s richest man. The remarks were reportedly made during a TrustTV interview on December 17, 2025, in reaction to Dangote’s petition to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) against Engr. Farouk Ahmed.

Titled “Demand for Public Explanation, Retraction and Unreserved Public Apology on Your Libellous Publication Against Alhaji Aliko Dangote, GCON,” the legal notice described the comments as “false, reckless, malicious, scandalous and libellous.”

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Dangote’s counsel stressed that the allegations damaged his reputation among international business partners and governments, emphasizing that the businessman’s standing was built through hard work, integrity, diligence, and perseverance.

The letter quoted Mohammed as saying:
“Can Dangote tell us the source of his money in the 80s when he was in Port Harcourt? Who is clean? Every time when you want to monopolise, you bring allegations against people… In the 80s we are aware of what happened in Port Harcourt and how he got his money.”

Dangote denied ever engaging in any business activities in Port Harcourt, calling the claims “entirely fictitious, unfounded, and malicious.”

The notice demands that Mohammed publicly clarify, retract the statements, and issue a full apology on the TrustTV platform, with equal prominence to the original broadcast. Failure to comply would trigger legal action, including claims for aggravated damages and possible criminal defamation proceedings.

The legal notice concluded that unsubstantiated allegations made on a national media platform constitute a gross abuse of freedom of expression and warned that Dangote would pursue all available legal remedies to protect his reputation and legacy.

Aliko Dangote Issues N100bn Defamation Threat to Kaduna Businessman Over Alleged Libel