In a recent legal development, Malam Nasir El-Rufai, the former governor of Kaduna State, has taken legal recourse against Henry Marah, a member of the Kaduna State House of Assembly, and Channels TV.
This action follows alleged defamatory remarks made during an interview concerning the investigation of a N423 billion loan.
Presented in a writ of summons to the FCT High Court dated July 11, 2024, El-Rufai, through his legal representative A.U. Mustapha (SAN), asserts that the interview aired on June 5 as part of the “Politics Today” segment on Channels TV, titled “Investigation of El-Rufai Administration,” was damaging to his reputation.
The statement made during the interview was deemed by El-Rufai as malicious, unjustified, defamatory, and severely detrimental to his character.
El-Rufai is pursuing N3 billion in damages, jointly and severally, from Marah and Channels TV due to the harm, humiliation, and anguish caused by the alleged defamatory broadcast. He alleges that this incident led to a tarnished reputation and loss of respect.
The interview in question delved into the investigation surrounding El-Rufai’s purported borrowing of N423 billion while serving as governor from 2015 to 2023.
Marah, during the interview, accused El-Rufai of obtaining funds without proper procedures and failing to provide an account of the said monies.
Previously, El-Rufai had lodged a N1 billion lawsuit against the Kaduna State House of Assembly, citing a lack of fair hearing by the Ad-Hoc Committee on Investigation of Loans, Financial Transactions, Contractual Liabilities, and Other Related Matters.
Established on April 16, 2024, this committee was tasked with scrutinizing financial transactions during El-Rufai’s governance period from May 29, 2015, to May 29, 2023.
A specific date for the trial of this case has not yet been scheduled.
