Africa’s richest man and President of Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, has issued a seven-day ultimatum to a Kaduna-based businessman, Engr. Kailani Mohammed, demanding a public retraction and apology over what he described as grave defamatory statements, or risk a ₦100 billion lawsuit.
In a letter dated December 20, 2025, Dangote, 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.
The letter, served on Mohammed in Kaduna, followed remarks allegedly made by the businessman during an interview aired on TrustTV on December 17, 2025, where he 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 Authority (NMDPRA), Engr. Farouk Ahmed.
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.
Dangote Threatens ₦100bn Defamation Suit Against Kaduna Businessman
