False allegations: Gov Sule threatens legal action against Benue varsity VC

Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State has threatened legal action against the Vice Chancellor of the University of Mkar, Benue State, Professor Zacharys Gundu, over what he described as false and damaging allegations linking him to violent attacks and insecurity in the state.

The governor, in the letter dated July 22, 2025, is demanding a retraction of the statement made by Gundu on a national television, News Central Television Town Hall Programme.

In the letter written by his counsel, Dr Ahmed Raji, SAN, on behalf of the governor, he said the damage caused by the statement of the VC is unquantifiable.

Gundu had said on a national television, “The issue of Nasarawa State has come up, and we know that even during Al-Makura’s time, Fulanis were coming there and attacking Benue State, and Al-Makura would call them international hunters.

“He would call them international hunters, in spite of the fact that Nasarawa State does not have an international hunting ground, he would call them because he wanted to mask that. And even today, the governor of Nasarawa State, Sule, is also masking the problem.

“Now, no other person in his right senses will ever say that the Fulanis who are killing and attacking us are coming from outside the country

“‘It is people like Sule, the governor of Nasarawa State, who is giving them haven, who is giving them refuge, who is getting the lands of his own citizens and giving it to these people.”

The governor in the letter challenged the VC to provide evidence, retract his statements within seven days with an apology or face court action if he fails.

According to him, the statement has injured his reputation in the eyes and minds of right-thinking person in the society.

Raji said in the letter to Gundu, “In the foregoing premise, our client hereby challenges you to provide evidence of your allegations therein against him, which have seriously injured his reputation in the eyes of right-thinking members of the society.

“Given the far-reaching ramifications of your publication, our client will not sit back and watch his hard-earned reputation and goodwill destroyed by your malicious decision to not only lay false allegations against him, but also to cause the same to be published for the world’s attention.

“Surely, the damage occasioned to our client by your deliberate but ill-advised action is unquantifiable. However, our client will be assuaged if you retract the said publication and tender an unreserved public apology to him in at least five national daily newspapers within seven days of receipt of this letter. If not, we have our client’s further instructions to seek redress against you in a court of law where exemplary damages will be claimed against you. Kindly be advised.”

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