The National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, has threatened to initiate a defamation lawsuit against the Deputy Governor of Kano State, Aminu Abdulsalam Gwarzo, over comments made regarding the ongoing Kano Emirship controversy.
News About Nigeria reports that Gwarzo had accused Ribadu of assisting in the return of the deposed Emir to the city at 4:30 a.m. on Saturday, claiming that the NSA arranged for two aircraft to transport the sacked monarch to the state.
However, the NSA’s spokesperson, Zakari Mijinyawa, denied the allegations in an interview that same day.
However, on Sunday, the NSA sent a letter through his legal representatives, Aliyu & Musa Chambers, demanding an apology from Gwarzo.
The lawyers stated that Ribadu, who has not faced any accusations of wrongdoing, was constantly bombarded with phone calls from individuals within and outside Nigeria concerning the unfounded allegations.
The NSA’s legal team insisted that the deputy governor must provide concrete evidence to support his allegations or retract his claims and apologise publicly within 24 hours; otherwise, their client, Ribadu, would pursue legal action.
The letter partly read, “We act as solicitors to Mallam Nuhu Ribadu… and on whose instructions we write this letter. The attention of our client was drawn to a video clip being shared on different social media platforms wherein you granted an interview at Emir’s Palace in Kano on Saturday… falsely accusing our client of using his office to kill the people of Kano State and maim their properties.”
The letter continued, “Your false accusations against our client portraying his office as an appendage of a political party and a willing tool to cause chaos in Kano is false and done with the intention of damaging the hard-earned reputation of our client… Our client has never been accused of any wrongdoing. Given this illustrious background, it is inconceivable that someone would harbour the thought that our client would descend his exalted office so low as to interfere in the local tussle of the Kano Emirate.”
The NSA’s legal team demanded that Gwarzo provide irrefutable evidence to substantiate his claims, retract the libellous allegation, and issue a public apology in five national dailies with wide national coverage and on popular online platforms within 24 hours, failing which their client would seek redress in a court of law.
This latest development comes on the heels of the Kano House of Assembly’s repeal of the Kano Emirates Council law, which was used by former Governor Abdullahi Ganduje to dethrone Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II.
The repealed law led to a standoff between the state government and the deposed Emir, with Governor Yusuf ordering the affected Emirs to vacate their palaces within 48 hours.
While four Emirs complied, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero returned to Kano and moved into the palace at Nassarawa with heavy military protection, leading to his arrest being ordered by the governor. However, the police stated they would comply with the court order reinstating Sanusi.
Latest reports have it that protests have swept through the streets of Kano over the tussle for the throne.
