By Yemi Oyeyemi, Abuja
President of the Dangote Group, Dr. 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 defamatory statements, or face a N100 billion lawsuit.
In a letter dated December 20, 2025, Dangote accused Mohammed of making libellous remarks that questioned his source of wealth and alleged that he engaged in “unclean business practices” in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, during the 1980s.
The letter, written by Dangote’s lawyer, Dr. Ogwu James Onoja, SAN, of Onoja Law Firm, Abuja, was served on the Kaduna businessman. It demanded an immediate public explanation, retraction, and an unreserved apology for statements Dangote said were false, malicious, and damaging to his reputation.
According to the letter, the remarks were made by Mohammed during an interview aired on TrustTV News on Wednesday, December 17, 2025. The interview was reportedly in reaction to a petition involving Engr. Farouk Ahmed submitted to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
Dangote’s legal team stated that the comments portrayed the billionaire industrialist as corrupt, monopolistic, and vindictive, thereby lowering his standing in the eyes of the international community, business partners, and governments of countries where he operates.
The letter categorically denied the allegations, stressing that Dangote had never carried out any business or wealth-generating activity in Port Harcourt at any time, including the 1980s, as alleged by Mohammed.
“These statements are false, scandalous and deliberately calculated to expose our client to public hatred, ridicule and odium,” the letter stated, adding that the allegations were entirely unfounded and malicious.
Dangote is demanding that Mohammed, within seven days of receiving the letter, publicly explain—on the same TrustTV platform and to the same audience—when, where, and in what capacity Dangote was allegedly involved in any improper activity in Port Harcourt. In the absence of verifiable facts, Mohammed is required to retract the statements in full and issue a clear and unreserved public apology with equal prominence.
In addition, Dangote is seeking N100 billion in damages for alleged loss of reputation and public ridicule, as well as a written undertaking from Mohammed to desist from making further defamatory statements.
The letter warned that failure to comply with the demands within the stipulated time would result in legal action at a competent court, including claims for aggravated damages. It also noted that Dangote reserves the right to petition law enforcement agencies for investigation and possible prosecution for criminal defamation.
“Allegations of this nature made without proof on a national media platform amount to a gross abuse of the right to freedom of expression and attract both civil and criminal liability,” the letter concluded.
