Hajj Gazette News and Current Affairs Magazine has issued a final demand and pre-action notice to Bilwerks Media Limited over what it described as a “defamatory, false and malicious publication” against the organisation.
In a letter dated February 4, 2026, and signed by its solicitors, AL-ADL Legal Consult, the magazine accused Bilwerks Media Limited of publishing a libellous article titled “2025 Hajj: NAHCON CEO, Abdullahi Pakistan, Defies Tinubu’s Order, Spends N45 Billion Without Approval,” authored by Hamza Rufai.
The solicitors stated that the publication falsely portrayed Hajj Gazette as “a media outfit created, sponsored, controlled, or deployed by the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) for propaganda, image-laundering, and political manipulation.”
“These allegations are outright lies, malicious fabrications, and gross misrepresentations of facts. They are defamatory per se and actionable under Nigerian law,” the letter read.
The legal firm stressed that Hajj Gazette is an independent media organisation with no affiliation with NAHCON or its leadership.
“Our Client is a fully independent media organisation and has no relationship financial, editorial, administrative, or institutional with NAHCON or its Chairman/CEO,” the solicitors said.
They further stated that, “Our Client is not domiciled in NAHCON, does not take instructions from NAHCON, and is not a proxy, agent, or publicity machinery for any public officer.”
According to the letter, the publication exposed the magazine “to public hatred, contempt, ridicule, and professional disrepute,” adding that the story was published “without verification, without due diligence, and without affording our Client the constitutionally guaranteed right of reply.”
Describing the action of Bilwerks Media as “reckless, unlawful, and calculated to destroy the goodwill and reputation painstakingly built by our Client over the years,” the solicitors demanded an immediate retraction and apology.
“Take notice that we hereby Demand immediate retraction of all defamatory references to our Client from your website, social media platforms, print publications, and archives,” the letter stated.
They also demanded a “public apology, published with the same prominence, placement, and circulation as the original defamatory story,” as well as a written undertaking within seven days confirming compliance.
The letter warned that failure to meet the demands would result in legal action without further notice.
“Should you fail, refuse, or neglect to comply… our Client has instructed us to commence legal proceedings against you,” it said.
The solicitors listed possible claims to include libel, injurious falsehood, negligent and reckless publication, as well as reputational and economic damage, with remedies sought including “substantial monetary damages,” a perpetual injunction, court-ordered apology, and full cost of litigation.
The letter concluded that it would be relied upon as evidence of prior notice and was issued “without prejudice to our Client’s rights and remedies under the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and all applicable laws.”
