Matawalle Sues Journalists, Mungadi One Other, Demands ₦60bn Damages

The Minister of State for Defense, Bello Matawalle, has initiated legal action against two northern journalists, Shu’aibu Mungadi and Tijjani Ramalan, over alleged defamation. In a suit filed at the Kano State High Court, Bichi Division, Matawalle is demanding ₦10 billion in damages from each of the six defendants, totaling ₦60 billion, along with 10% post-judgment interest until the judgment sum is fully paid.

The case, marked K/M2102/2024 and dated October 25, also names Vision Media Services Ltd, Vision FM, Farin Wata Television, and Liberty Radio and TV as defendants. The minister alleges that the defendants broadcasted defamatory statements linking him to banditry and insecurity in Nigeria’s North-West.

Allegations of Defamation

In an affidavit supporting his motion for an interlocutory injunction, Alhaji Masudu Abdulkadir, Matawalle’s personal assistant, claimed that the defendants used their platforms to disseminate damaging allegations. These broadcasts reportedly portrayed Matawalle as a sponsor of banditry and kidnappings in Zamfara and other North-West states.

The affidavit emphasized Matawalle’s efforts as the former governor of Zamfara State to address insecurity during his tenure. It further accused the defendants of spreading libelous content on television, radio, social media, and YouTube, tarnishing Matawalle’s reputation globally.

Injunction Sought

Through his counsel, Umar Said of Umar and Umar Chambers, Matawalle is seeking an interlocutory injunction to restrain the defendants from making further defamatory statements. The motion also requests a perpetual injunction to bar the defendants from publishing any additional content that could harm the minister’s reputation.

Other reliefs include:

• A declaration that the defendants’ statements constitute defamation.
• An order directing the defendants to issue written apologies, including retractions, published prominently in two local and national newspapers.

Background and Broader Context

The lawsuit coincides with increasing scrutiny of Matawalle’s alleged ties to banditry. Recently, the Akida Forum, a faction within the All Progressives Congress (APC), called for an investigation into Matawalle’s alleged involvement in North-West insecurity. The group staged a protest at the Department of State Services (DSS) headquarters, urging a thorough probe.

Similarly, Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal has publicly called on Matawalle to resign to clear his name. Lawal claims to have reported the minister to President Bola Tinubu and the National Security Adviser, providing evidence to support the allegations.

Matawalle, however, has consistently denied these accusations, labeling them baseless and politically motivated.

Next Steps

Justice Musa Ahmad has scheduled December 12, 2024, for the hearing of the case.

This lawsuit underscores the escalating tensions around insecurity in Nigeria’s North-West, with both legal and political dimensions to the unfolding drama.