Ex-COAS files N1 bn defamation suit against retired Army General over terrorism financing allegations
Ex-COAS files N1 bn defamation suit against retired Army General over terrorism financing allegations
Former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Yusufu Buratai (retd.), has filed a ₦1 billion defamation lawsuit against fellow retired military officer Maj. Gen. Danjuma Hamisu Ali-Keffi (retd.) at the Kaduna State High Court.
The suit, lodged on January 8, 2026, at the Kaduna Judicial Division, accuses Ali-Keffi of making and circulating false and defamatory statements linking Buratai to terrorism financing, Boko Haram suspects, and alleged concealment of terror-related activities.
Buratai, represented by lawyers A.I. Aliyu and A.M. Hassan of Law Plus Consult, is seeking declarations that the statements attributed to Ali-Keffi—published on Sahara Reporters, other news outlets, and social media platforms including Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), WhatsApp, and Instagram—are false, malicious, and injurious to his reputation.
According to the court documents, the plaintiff claims Ali-Keffi gave interviews in 2025 insinuating Buratai’s involvement in conspiracies with terror suspects during his tenure as Chief of Army Staff. Buratai insists these allegations are entirely unfounded, noting that he has never been investigated, indicted, or convicted for terrorism or related offences.
The former army chief further argued that the statements portrayed him as corrupt and unpatriotic, causing significant damage to his personal and professional reputation both in Nigeria and internationally. He alleged that Ali-Keffi acted recklessly and maliciously, even admitting in the publications that no investigation had proven Buratai’s involvement in terrorism financing.
In the suit, Buratai is seeking: An immediate retraction of the statements and a public apology published with equal prominence on Sahara Reporters, two national newspapers, and all social media platforms where the allegations appeared.
N1 billion in general damages for libel and reputational harm.
A perpetual injunction preventing Ali-Keffi from repeating or publishing similar defamatory statements.
An order for the defendant to pay all legal costs, including solicitor’s fees.
The writ of summons directs Ali-Keffi to respond within 21 days of service, warning that failure to appear could lead to the matter being heard in his absence.
As of the filing of the suit, no hearing date has been set, and the defendant has yet to file a response.
