Former Kano State Governor and and NDC vice presidential candidate, Dr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has issued a 24-hour ultimatum to the Primate of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Bishop Babatunde Elijah Ayodele, to retract alleged defamatory remarks made against him or face a N10bn legal action.
Kwankwaso’s demand was contained in a legal notice dated June 11, issued by his solicitors, Magaji Mato Ibrahim SAN & Co., Supreme Chambers, and addressed to Bishop Ayodele.
The notice accused the cleric of making false, malicious and derogatory statements against Kwankwaso during a church service, which was reportedly recorded and circulated on social media platforms.
The legal representatives said the alleged comments had damaged their client’s reputation, describing Kwankwaso as a prominent national figure who had served as former Governor of Kano State, former Minister of Defence, former member and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Senator and former presidential candidate.
According to the notice, the alleged remarks linked Kwankwaso’s political activities and integrity with claims that were considered defamatory by his legal team.
The lawyers demanded an immediate retraction and apology from Bishop Ayodele, to be published on all social media platforms and reputable local and international media outlets with the same prominence as the alleged publication.
They also requested a written undertaking from the cleric to desist from making further statements considered defamatory against Kwankwaso.
The notice warned that failure to comply within the stipulated 24-hour period would lead to legal proceedings against the bishop, with Kwankwaso seeking N10bn in damages alongside other reliefs and legal costs.
The legal team maintained that the alleged statements were “false, unprovoked and unsubstantiated,” arguing that they were capable of causing reputational damage and creating division among Kwankwaso’s political supporters.