The Chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Professor Abdullahi Saleh Usman, has demanded the sum of N1 billion from Comrade Haruna Braimoh over a defamatory publication targeting his personality.
The NAHCON boss also insists on a retraction of the alleged libellous statement published on Braimoh’s social media platforms, along with a public apology to be made on the same platforms or in two national dailies—The Guardian and Daily Trust—within seven days.
In a petition titled “Re: NAHCON and Corruption: Professor Abdullahi Salleh Usman Pakistan ‘A Corrupt CEO’”, Professor Usman, through his counsel Lexhill City Attorneys, accused Braimoh of making defamatory claims. These include allegations that Usman received kickbacks and gifts from local firms in Saudi Arabia to compromise decisions in favour of certain companies.
The petition, dated November 28, 2024, and signed by Kabir Abdullahi on behalf of Lexhill City Attorneys, stated that Braimoh, Country Head of Media Directorate for Advocacy for Good Governance West Africa, accused the NAHCON chairman of receiving 20 Samsung phones worth N3.3 million each, gold jewellery worth N120 million, and a N500 million bribe from a Saudi airline.
Braimoh is alleged to have written an open letter to the Vice President’s office on November 6, 2024, in which he referred to the NAHCON Chairman as “A Corrupt CEO” and published it on his X handle (@HarunaBraimoh1) and other social media accounts.
The petition stated: “In the said letter, you made further false and unsubstantiated allegations of corruption and bribery against our client, knowing all the allegations to be false and untrue. The statements are malicious and aimed at tarnishing his good reputation. Our client has never received any gift in cash or kind, either from the Saudi authorities or any contractor, local or international.”
The petition further argued that the false statements published by Braimoh were defamatory, damaging the NAHCON Chairman’s reputation and conveying an impression of corruption, dishonesty, and unworthiness in his position.
Professor Usman demands an unreserved apology from Braimoh, to be published on the same platforms where the allegations were made, as well as in The Guardian and Daily Trust*. Additionally, he demands N1 billion as compensation for the harm caused to his image.
Lexhill City Attorneys noted that failure or refusal by Braimoh to issue a public apology within seven days would leave the NAHCON Chairman with no option but to pursue all legal actions available to restore his reputation.
