By Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna
The has accused former Kaduna State Governor, Malam Nasir El-Rufai, of personally dragging the media organisation and its Kaduna correspondent to court for almost six years over a 2015 report on his asset declaration.
The case stemmed from a July 2, 2015, publication titled “El-Rufai Declares N90 Billion, Owns 40 Mansions in Abuja”, which alleged that El-Rufai declared assets worth N90 billion, including 40 properties in Abuja.
The defunct newspaper’s correspondent expressed dismay over the court proceedings, noting that while multiple Kaduna-based journalists had investigated the asset declaration, most national media reportedly ignored or misrepresented the case, with some allegedly “bought over” or refusing to cover the trial.
Interestingly, El-Rufai reportedly waived his immunity as Executive Governor to personally file the suit at the State High Court 2 in Kaduna, seeking N55 million in damages for alleged defamation of character and reputation. He personally appeared in court before Justice Mario Mohammed and was also summoned to testify.
During proceedings, El-Rufai admitted he had yet to calculate the total value of his assets. Evidence tendered in court, including issues of PowerSteering News Magazine showing photographs of some of his Abuja mansions, was rejected by the former governor on the basis that the magazine had “never merited his table” since he assumed office.
The Union Newspapers maintained that its report, which surprised Kaduna residents, accurately reflected documents obtained from the Abuja headquarters of the . George David, Director of the Kaduna State Office of the Bureau, declined to comment on specifics, stating that asset declarations by public officials are not required to be made public, and any further details could only be sought from the national headquarters in Abuja.
Efforts to obtain a comment from Governor El-Rufai’s Media Adviser, Muyiwa Adekeye, confirmed that the governor had declared his assets but did not provide further details.
Union Newspapers also highlighted irregularities in court proceedings, noting that Court 2 continued sessions even during judicial vacation periods to accommodate the case personally filed by El-Rufai.
The media house concluded that despite years of legal challenges, it continues to uphold investigative reporting and faces ongoing scrutiny in cases involving public office holders.
This case underscores the tensions between media freedom and public office holders’ responses to investigative reporting on asset declarations in Nigeria.
