Former Governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, has launched a defamation lawsuit against the Kaduna State House of Assembly. The legal action, filed at the Federal High Court in Kaduna, stems from accusations that El-Rufai and his administration misappropriated ₦423 billion in public funds during his tenure.
El-Rufai is demanding a public apology from the Assembly, asserting that the allegations are false and were fabricated to tarnish his reputation and undermine his administration’s achievements. His legal team argues that the report from the Assembly’s committee is baseless and politically motivated, lacking any substantial evidence.
The former governor contends that his efforts to improve infrastructure and education in Kaduna serve as a testament to his administration’s transparency and integrity. He claims that the accusations are an attempt to discredit his developmental policies and the progress made during his leadership.
At the Federal High Court in Kaduna, El-Rufai signed an affidavit supporting his case against the Assembly, asserting his fundamental rights. His lawyer, AU Mustapha, emphasized that El-Rufai is entitled to a fair hearing under the Nigerian Constitution and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights. Mustapha urged the court to declare the Assembly’s report unconstitutional and void, citing a violation of El-Rufai’s right to a fair hearing.
El-Rufai’s media adviser, Muyiwa Adekeye, revealed details of the lawsuit, underscoring the former governor’s commitment to defending his administration’s legacy and protecting his personal reputation from unwarranted attacks.