The family of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir el-Rufai has given Defence Minister Christopher Musa seven days to provide evidence backing his allegation that el-Rufai was involved in killings in Southern Kaduna.

The demand was contained in a statement issued on Monday by Bello el-Rufai, a member of the House of Representatives, on behalf of the family.

Musa, during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today on September 3, accused the former governor of “doing a lot of terrible things” in Kaduna and alleged that he played a role in the killings recorded in Southern Kaduna during his tenure.

The minister also accused el-Rufai of dividing Kaduna along regional lines, restricting movement between northern and southern parts of the state and paying bandits.

Reacting to the claims, the family said Musa had not provided evidence to substantiate the allegation that el-Rufai actively planned killings in Southern Kaduna.

The family said serious allegations of criminal conduct must be supported by credible evidence, adding that Musa must either provide proof or publicly withdraw the claim and apologise.

It warned that failure to comply within seven days would leave the family with no option but to pursue appropriate legal action over what it described as unsubstantiated allegations.