“I Will Not Apologize, Let Him Take Me to Supreme Court” – Najatu Mohammed Dares Ribadu

Prominent activist and politician Najatu Mohammed has refused to apologize to National Security Adviser (NSA) Nuhu Ribadu, challenging him to take legal action against her over remarks she made about him.

Mrs. Mohammed had alleged that Mr. Ribadu once described President Bola Tinubu as corrupt but now serves in his government. In response, Mr. Ribadu, through his lawyer Ahmed Raji, issued a formal letter on February 4, denying ever making such statements. The NSA demanded a public apology and retraction, citing significant damage to his reputation.

The letter stated that Mrs. Mohammed’s claims had portrayed Mr. Ribadu as “double-faced, duplicitous, and deceitful,” and accused her of inciting public hostility against him. It emphasized that Mr. Ribadu had never expressed such views about President Tinubu or other political figures mentioned. The NSA warned that if an apology was not issued in five national newspapers within seven days, legal action would be taken.

However, in a phone interview with Premier Radio on Tuesday evening, Mrs. Mohammed remained defiant. She reiterated her claim that Mr. Ribadu, during his tenure as Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), had labeled Tinubu as one of Nigeria’s most corrupt governors. She insisted that evidence of this statement exists online and refused to retract her remarks.

“What is wrong if I said he is bowing to Tinubu?” she asked. “What is he doing as NSA? What security is he providing to the nation? He does nothing other than praising Tinubu to secure his position.”

Mrs. Mohammed challenged Mr. Ribadu to take the matter to court, declaring, “I will not apologize, let him take me to the Supreme Court.”