Prominent businessman and philanthropist Daniel Kanu has defended his role during the regime of former military ruler Sani Abacha, while strongly denying allegations that he was ever imprisoned, describing such claims as defamatory.
In a press statement issued on Thursday, Kanu said he has no regrets about his involvement in initiatives during the Abacha era, particularly the Vision 2010 programme. He explained that his support at the time was driven by a belief that the initiative offered genuine opportunities for youth empowerment and national development.
“I make no apologies,” Kanu stated, adding that his past political activities should not be “retroactively weaponized through fabricated allegations.”
His response follows a Facebook post by filmmaker Ugezu J. Ugezu, who allegedly portrayed Kanu as a former political loyalist whose fortunes declined after the Abacha regime, claiming he was later arrested, prosecuted, and imprisoned over financial crimes.
Kanu categorically rejected the claims, describing them as “entirely false, baseless, and a deliberate attempt” to damage his reputation. He maintained that he has never been arrested, charged, tried, or convicted of any criminal offence, either in Nigeria or abroad, and has never served a prison sentence.
While acknowledging that Ugezu may have intended to caution young Nigerians against political sycophancy, Kanu argued that such intent does not justify the spread of misinformation. He described the use of his name in that context as “inappropriate” and “demonstrably dishonest.”
Kanu also revisited his role in March 1998, when he mobilised hundreds of thousands of youths under the “Youths Earnestly Ask for Abacha ’98” (YEAA) movement. The rally, widely regarded as one of the largest political gatherings in Nigeria’s history, was aimed at urging Abacha to transition to civilian rule. Despite criticism branding him a military apologist, Kanu insisted his actions aligned with the youth-focused development goals of Vision 2010.
As part of his response, Kanu disclosed that he has filed a formal petition with the Inspector-General of Police, accusing Ugezu of criminal defamation, cyberbullying, and cyberstalking. He noted that authorities have acknowledged receipt of the petition and have commenced investigations.
He further stated that he is prepared to pursue both civil and criminal legal action against Ugezu and others involved in circulating the allegations, emphasising that the matter goes beyond personal reputation to address the wider issue of misinformation in the digital space.
Beyond the controversy, Kanu highlighted his business and philanthropic engagements, noting that he has invested significantly in youth empowerment, community development, and support for vulnerable groups both in Nigeria and internationally.
He urged the public to disregard the allegations and called on bloggers and social media users to verify information before publication.
“The digital space must not become a haven for reckless speech,” he said, reaffirming his commitment to defend his name and legacy through legal means.
