The President of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, has issued a seven-day ultimatum to Kaduna-based businessman, Engr. Kailani Mohammed, to retract what he described as a defamatory publication or face a N100 billion lawsuit.
In a letter dated December 20, 2025 and served on Mohammed by Dangote’s lawyer, Dr. Ogwu James Onoja (SAN), the industrialist demanded an immediate public explanation, retraction and an unreserved apology over allegations made during a TrustTV interview broadcast on December 17, 2025.
Mohammed was said to have questioned Dangote’s business integrity and source of wealth, alleging that the billionaire engaged in “unclean business” in Port Harcourt in the 1980s and used monopolistic tactics to build his empire. The remarks, Dangote argued, were false, malicious and intended to damage his global reputation.
“Our client’s attention has been drawn to statements made by you during the televised broadcast… wherein you made false, reckless, malicious, scandalous and libelous publications concerning our client,” the letter stated, insisting that Dangote had never conducted any form of business in Port Harcourt in the 1980s or at any other time.
Dangote demanded that Mohammed publicly explain his claims on the same platform, retract the statements, broadcast an apology with equal prominence, pay N100 billion in damages, and sign an undertaking to desist from future defamatory remarks.
The letter warned that failure to comply within seven days would result in legal action and possible criminal defamation proceedings.
Mohammed had spoken on the programme in reaction to Dangote’s petition to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) seeking an investigation of Engr. Farouk Ahmed.
TrustTV and Mohammed have yet to formally respond to the threat as at press time.
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