Nasir El-Rufai, the former Governor of Kaduna State, has initiated legal action against Henry Marah, a member of the Kaduna State House of Assembly, and Channels TV, seeking ₦3 billion in damages over alleged defamatory remarks regarding the probe of a ₦423 billion loan.
The controversy stems from comments made by Marah during a recent interview on Channels TV’s “Politics Today,” where he criticized El-Rufai’s administration for purportedly borrowing funds without due process and failing to account for them.
In a writ of summons filed before an FCT High Court dated July 11, 2024, El-Rufai, represented by his counsel A.U. Mustapha (SAN), argues that the statements made during the interview were malicious, unjustified, and damaging to his reputation. The former Governor asserts that the remarks caused him significant injury, embarrassment, and distress, leading to a loss of reputation and goodwill.
El-Rufai is seeking ₦3 billion jointly and severally from Marah and Channels TV in compensation for the alleged defamation. This legal action follows a previous ₦1 billion lawsuit filed by El-Rufai, claiming lack of fair hearing in proceedings conducted by the Kaduna State House of Assembly’s Ad-Hoc Committee on Investigation of Loans and Financial Transactions from 2015 to 2023.
As of now, a hearing date for the lawsuit has not yet been scheduled, indicating the continuation of legal proceedings in the matter.
