Bello Matawalle, Nigeria’s Minister of State for Defense and former Governor of Zamfara State, has initiated a legal case against two journalists, Shu’aibu Mungadi and Tijjani Ramalan, over accusations of defamation. The lawsuit, filed on October 25, 2024, demands ₦60 billion in damages, seeking ₦10 billion from each of the six defendants involved, including media companies Vision Media Services Ltd, Vision FM, Farin Wata Television, and Liberty Radio and TV.
Matawalle’s legal action comes in response to reports broadcasted and published by the defendants, which he claims wrongfully depicted him as a supporter of banditry and kidnapping in the North-West region of Nigeria. The Minister asserts that these allegations have severely damaged his reputation and undermined his past efforts to address security challenges during his tenure as governor of Zamfara State.
Court Orders Sought Against Defendants
In the case currently under review by Justice Musa Ahmad of the Kano State High Court, Matawalle is requesting an interlocutory injunction. This legal measure would restrict the defendants from further spreading any information related to the accusations against him until the main suit is resolved. Additionally, Matawalle is pursuing a permanent injunction to prevent any future defamatory statements and is demanding a public, written apology from the defendants to be published in both local and national newspapers.
Context and Background
The lawsuit follows a series of calls from both political and civic groups urging investigations into Matawalle’s alleged ties to bandits in Nigeria’s North-West. A faction within the All Progressives Congress (APC), known as the Akida Forum, recently called for an inquiry, staging a protest at the Department of State Services (DSS) headquarters. Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal has also demanded Matawalle’s resignation to facilitate an independent investigation into the allegations, which Matawalle has continuously denied.
The case is set to be heard on December 12, 2024, as legal proceedings continue amid growing scrutiny and public debate regarding the allegations and their implications for the region’s security.
News Editor