PRESIDENT of Dangote Group, Mr Aliko Dangote, has issued a 7-day ultimatum to a Kaduna-based businessman, Engr. Kailani Mohammed, demanding a public retraction and apology over what he described as libellous statements or face a N100 billion lawsuit.

In a letter dated December 20, 2025, Dangote accused Mohammed of making false and defamatory claims during an interview aired on TrustTV News on Wednesday, December 17, 2025. The remarks were made in reaction to a petition submitted to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) against Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Engr. Farouk Ahmed.

The letter, entitled ‘Demand for public explanation, retraction and unreserved public apology on your libellous publication against Alhaji Aliko Dangote, GCON,’ was issued by Dangote’s lawyer, Dr. Ogwu James Onoja, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) of Onoja Law Firm, Abuja.

Mr Dangote alleged that Mr Mohammed accused him of engaging in ‘unclean’ and morally questionable business activities in Port Harcourt in the 1980s, questioned the source of his wealth, and portrayed him as a monopolistic and vindictive businessman.

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According to the letter, the statements were false, reckless, malicious and calculated to damage Mr Dangote’s reputation locally and internationally, including among his business partners, associates and governments of countries where he operates.

Dangote categorically denied ever engaging in any business or commercial activity in Port Harcourt at any time, including the 1980s, describing the allegations as entirely fictitious, unfounded and defamatory.

The legal notice demands that Mr Mohammed, within 7 days of receiving the letter, publicly explain on the same TrustTV platform the basis of his claims, retract the statements in their entirety if unable to substantiate them, and issue a full and unreserved public apology with equal prominence.

Dangote also demanded N100 billion in damages for alleged loss of reputation and public ridicule, as well as a written undertaking by Mr Mohammed to desist from making further defamatory statements.

The letter warned that failure to comply with the demands would result in immediate legal action without further notice, including claims for aggravated damages. It also noted that Dangote reserved the right to petition law enforcement agencies for investigation and possible prosecution for criminal defamation.

The letter read, “We are solicitors to Alhaji Aliko Dangote and we write pursuant to his express instructions regarding grievously libelous statements broadcast by TrustTV news and uttered by you during an interview aired on Wednesday, 17th December, 2025 in reaction to the petition submitted by our client to Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

“Our client is a widely reputable international businessman. He is the richest black man on earth and he has the largest business conglomerate in Africa.

“Our client, through dint of hard work, integrity, diligent and perseverance over the years earned for himself the reputation and honour he is reckoned with all over the world.

“Our client’s attention has been drawn to statements made by you during the televised broadcast on TrustTV on the aforementioned date in reaction to our client’s petition submitted to Independent Corrupt Practices and the other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to investigate and possibly prosecute Engr. Farouk Ahmad if found wanting, wherein you made false, reckless, malicious, scandalous and libelous publications concerning our client as a man that has monopolistic tendencies, corruptly enriched himself in business and engaged in economics cerbutach.

“Your statement also portrayed our client as a very cruel businessman whose stock in trade is vendetta and campaign of calumny to bring down others and exert monopolistic powers.

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“Among others you started as follows: Can Dangote tell us the source of his money in the 80s when he was in Port Harcourt. Who is clean? Every time you want to monopolize, you bring allegations against people. Let him come and prove it. In the 80s we are aware of what happened in Port Harcourt and how he got his money. Nobody came out and said all these things.”

The letter described the statements as false, scandalous and gravely deliberately imputing unlawful or morally questionable conduct to Mr Dangote, noting that they were calculated to expose him to public hatred, ridicule, suspicion and odium.

“By your reckless and unguarded defamatory statement and assertions, our client’s reputation has been greatly lowered in the sight of reasonable members of the International Community, including his business partners, associates and various governments of nations of the world where our client carries on business.

“Take Note that our client categorically states that at no time in his life has he carried out any business, commercial activity or wealth generating enterprise in Port Harcourt, whether in the 1980s or at any other period whatsoever as you alleged.”

The letter said the Mr Mohammed’s assertions were entirely fictitious, unfounded, malicious, and could render him susceptible to both civil and criminal defematory action.

“In view of the gravity and depth of the allegations made by you against our client, you are hereby demanded to do the following within 7 days upon receipt of this letter:

“That you publicly explain on the same TrustTV platform and to the same audience, when, where and in what capacity our client was allegedly involved in any unclean activity or any activity whatsoever in Port Harcourt as claimed by you.

“That in the absence of verifiable facts capable of substantiating your assertions, you immediately and unequivocally retract the said statement in their entirety.

“That you issue a full, clear and unreserved public apology to our client which must be broadcast with equal prominence as your original publication.

“To pay our client the N100Bn only in damages for loss of reputation, character defamation and public redicule our client has been subjected to since the said statements were published.

“That you give a written undertaking to desist from making or publishing any further false or defamatory statements concerning our client.

“Be advised that allegations of this nature made without proof on a national media platform are indefensible in law and amount to a gross abuse of the right to freedom of expression which will culminate in both civil and criminal liability.

“Take further notice that should you fail to comply with the conditions stated above and within the time frame, our client shall, without further recourse to you, institute a legal action at a competent court of law against you and claim aggravated damages.

“This is without prejudice to our client’s right to make a formal report against you to the law enforcement agencies for your investigation and and prosecution for criminal defamation,” the letter added.