Dangote writes Kaduna businessman to retract defamatory statement with 7 days or risk N100 billion lawsuit

Aliko Dangote, President of Dangote Group of Companies has issued a 7 day ultimatum to a Kaduna based businessman, Engr. Kailani Mohammed to publicly retract what he termed ‘defamatory statement’ against him or be ready for a lawsuit of N100 billion.

This was contained in a letter dated December 20, 2025, through his lawyer Dr. Ogwu James Onoja, SAN, accused Mohammed of making false, reckless and malicious allegations that questioned the source of his wealth and suggested he engaged in “unclean” business activities in Port Harcourt in the 1980s.

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Kailani had reacted to Dangote’s petition to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC against the former Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Aughority NMDPRA, Engr Farouk Ahmed on Trust Television on December 17, 2025.

The Kaduna businessman claimed that Dangote was involved in unclean business, adding that he has never conducted businesses in Portharcourt in the 80s.

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Titled “Demand for Public Explanation, Retraction and Unreserved Public Apology on Your Libellous Publication Against Alhaji Aliko Dangote, GCON,” the letter stated that the comments had lowered Dangote’s reputation, exposed him to public ridicule and cast him as a monopolist who corruptly enriched himself and engaged in economic sabotage.

“Our client is a widely reputable international businessman whose success is founded on hard work, integrity, diligence and perseverance,” the letter read, adding that Dangote never conducted any business activity in Port Harcourt, in the 1980s or at any other time.

The lawyers described Mohammed’s remarks as entirely fictitious, unfounded and malicious, warning that they were actionable under both civil and criminal defamation laws.

Dangote’s legal team demanded that Mohammed, within seven days of receiving the letter:

Publicly explain, on the same TrustTV platform, when and how Dangote was allegedly involved in any “unclean” activity;

Retract the statements in full, should he be unable to substantiate them; Issue a full and unreserved public apology with equal prominence; Pay ₦100 billion in damages for reputational harm; and Provide a written undertaking to desist from further defamatory publications.

The letter further warned that failure to comply would result in immediate legal action without further notice, including a claim for aggravated damages, and possible referral to law enforcement agencies for criminal defamation.

The development adds a new layer to the growing controversy surrounding allegations and counter-allegations linked to Dangote’s petition against the former petroleum regulator, raising the stakes in an increasingly heated public and legal battle.

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