By Zagazola Makama
Former Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Tukur Yusufu Buratai (rtd) has filed a N1 billion defamation suit against another retired senior officer, Major General Danjuma Hamisu Ali-Keffi (rtd.) at the Kaduna State High Court over alleged terrorism-related claims.
The suit, filed on January 8, 2026 before the Kaduna Judicial Division arose from alleged statements attributed to Ali-Keffi linking Buratai to terrorism financing, associations with Boko Haram suspects, and the purported illegal release and concealment of terror suspects during Buratai’s tenure as COAS.
Buratai, through his counsel, A.I. Aliyu and A.M. Hassan of Law Plus Consult, contended that the statements were false and defamatory, and were circulated on social media platforms including Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), WhatsApp and Instagram, as well as other online outlets.
According to the court documents, Buratai said the publications were widely disseminated nationally and internationally, causing grave injury to his reputation and portraying him as corrupt, unpatriotic and complicit in actions inimical to Nigeria’s national security.
He maintained that he has never been investigated, indicted or convicted for terrorism or any related offence, describing the allegations as baseless.
The claimant is seeking an order of court compelling Ali-Keffi to retract the statements and issue a public apology on the same platforms where the claims were allegedly published, including Sahara Reporters and at least two national newspapers.
Buratai is also asking the court to award N1 billion as general damages, grant a perpetual injunction restraining the defendant from further publication of the statements, and order the payment of all legal costs.
The writ of summons directs Ali-Keffi to enter an appearance within 21 days of service, failing which the court may proceed in his absence.
As at the time of filing this report, no hearing date had been fixed and the defendant had yet to file a response.
