Africa's richest man, Aliko Dangote, has fired off a seven-day ultimatum to Kaduna-based businessman Engr. Kailani Mohammed, demanding a full retraction, public apology, and N100 billion in damages for alleged defamatory remarks questioning the legitimacy of his 1980s wealth accumulation in Port Harcourt. The explosive letter, dated December 20, 2025, from Dangote's legal team led by SAN Dr. Ogwu James Onoja, brands Mohammed's TrustTV interview comments on December 17 as "false, scandalous, and malicious," accusing him of portraying Dangote as a ruthless monopolist built on illicit dealings amid a petition against Dr. Farouk Ahmed to the ICPC. Mohammed allegedly stated, "Can Dangote tell us the source of his money in the 80s when he was in Port Harcourt? Who is clean? Every time when you want to monopolize, you bring allegations against people," claims Dangote's lawyers say expose him to global ridicule and harm his hard-earned reputation as the world's richest Black man.
Dangote, whose conglomerate dominates cement, sugar, and refining sectors, insists his success stems from "hard work, integrity, diligence, and perseverance," rejecting the narrative of vendetta or unclean origins that allegedly tarnished his image among international partners. The demands include a TrustTV rebuttal explaining any Port Harcourt involvement, an unreserved apology broadcast equally prominently, the massive payout for reputational loss, and a written pledge against future smears, with non-compliance triggering civil suits for aggravated damages and criminal prosecution. This high-stakes clash erupts amid Nigeria's business rivalries, spotlighting Dangote's refinery dominance and critics' monopoly jabs, as Mohammed's retort ties into broader anti-corruption petitions.
Legal observers anticipate courtroom fireworks, with the N100 billion sum among Nigeria's largest defamation claims signaling Dangote's intolerance for legacy attacks in a polarized economy under President Tinubu. No response from Mohammed yet, but social media buzzes with divided takes on free speech versus billionaire clout, potentially reshaping public discourse on elite wealth scrutiny. As the deadline looms, this suit underscores tensions between tycoons and whistleblowers in Africa's top economy.