Former Chief of Army Staff, retired Lieutenant General Faruk Yahaya, has instituted a major defamation lawsuit against Major General Danjuma Hamisu Ali-Keffi (rtd) and several media organisations, demanding a total of ₦1.5 billion in damages over what he described as malicious and false publications.
The suit, filed on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, at the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja, follows the failure of the defendants to comply with earlier demand notices served on them. According to court filings, Yahaya had formally requested an immediate retraction of the alleged defamatory statements, public apologies, and a halt to further circulation of the claims, but these demands were reportedly ignored.
Providing details of the case, retired Brigadier General Sani Kukasheka Usman, former Director of Army Public Relations, disclosed that the lawsuit also includes an additional claim of ₦600 million in aggravated damages. This aspect of the suit relates to reports that allegedly linked the former army chief to terrorism financing, illegal mining activities, and banditry—allegations Yahaya has strongly denied.
Court documents indicate that all defendants have been duly served and are expected to enter their responses in line with the court’s procedural rules. The legal action stems from public statements attributed to Ali-Keffi, which allegedly suggested that Yahaya had connections with individuals or networks involved in terrorism financing.
Yahaya has consistently dismissed these claims as baseless, defamatory, and deeply damaging to his personal and professional reputation. Acting through his legal counsel, Mohammed Ndayako, SAN, he had issued a 72-hour ultimatum to the defendants on December 17, 2025, demanding a full retraction and public apology. Their failure to comply, he said, left him with no option but to seek redress through the courts.
In the suit, the retired general further alleged that Ali-Keffi’s actions were motivated by personal grievances arising from past disciplinary issues within the military. He maintained that the accusations were deliberately fabricated to tarnish his image and undermine his record of service.
Yahaya подчерк that throughout his military career—particularly during his tenure as Chief of Army Staff—he remained committed to national security, professionalism, and the rule of law. He reaffirmed that he has never been involved in terrorism financing or any activities inimical to Nigeria’s security, adding that he would continue to challenge false and malicious allegations through legal means to protect his integrity.
0 Comments