Aliko Dangote, President of the Dangote Group, has issued a seven-day ultimatum to Kaduna-based businessman Kailani Mohammed, demanding a public retraction and apology over what he described as defamatory statements, or risk a N100 billion lawsuit.
In a formal letter dated Saturday, December 20, 2025, Dangote, through his lawyer, Ogwu James Onoja, accused Mohammed of making false and damaging allegations against his person and business interests during a televised interview on TrustTV.
The controversial remarks were said to have been aired on 17 December 2025, while Mohammed was reacting to a petition he submitted to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) concerning Farouk Ahmed, former managing director, Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA)
During the interview, Mohammed was alleged to have questioned the source of Dangote’s wealth and accused him of engaging in “unclean business” activities in Port Harcourt in the 1980s.
Dangote’s legal team described the statements as reckless, malicious and libellous, arguing that they portrayed the billionaire businessman as corrupt, monopolistic and morally questionable.
The letter further stated that the allegations had lowered Dangote’s reputation locally and internationally, affecting his standing with business partners, associates and governments across countries where he operates.
According to the letter, Dangote categorically denied ever conducting any business or commercial activity in Port Harcourt in the 1980s or at any other time, insisting that the claims were entirely fictitious and unfounded.
As part of the demands, Mohammed was asked to publicly explain, on the same TrustTV platform, the basis of his allegations, retract the statements in full, and issue an unreserved public apology with equal prominence.
Dangote is also seeking N100 billion in damages for reputational harm and is demanding a written undertaking from Mohammed to refrain from making further defamatory remarks.
The letter warned that failure to comply within seven days of receipt would result in legal action, including claims for aggravated damages, and possible petitions to law enforcement agencies for criminal defamation.
Dangote’s lawyers emphasised that unsubstantiated allegations made on a national media platform constitute an abuse of freedom of expression and are indefensible under the law.
(Business Day)
