Buratai drags Ali-Keffi to court, seeks N1bn over alleged terrorism defamation
By Uzair Adam
Former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Yusufu Buratai (retd.), has instituted a N1 billion defamation suit against a fellow retired senior military officer, Maj. Gen. Danjuma Hamisu Ali-Keffi (retd.), at the Kaduna State High Court.
The suit, filed on January 8, 2026, before the Kaduna Judicial Division of the court, arises from alleged statements by Ali-Keffi linking Buratai to terrorism financing, Boko Haram suspects and the purported illegal release and concealment of terror suspects.
In the writ of summons and statement of claim filed by Buratai’s lawyers, A.I. Aliyu and A.M. Hassan of Law Plus Consult, the former army chief is asking the court to declare that the statements attributed to the defendant and circulated on various online platforms, including Sahara Reporters and other news and social media outlets, are false, malicious and libellous.
Buratai alleged that Ali-Keffi granted interviews in 2025 in which he insinuated that the former Chief of Army Staff had connections with terror suspects and financiers, and was involved in conspiracies to cover up terrorism-related activities during his tenure.
According to the court documents, the plaintiff said the publications were widely circulated on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), WhatsApp, Instagram and other platforms, giving the allegations both national and international reach.
He maintained that the claims are entirely false, stressing that he has never been investigated, indicted or convicted for terrorism, terrorism financing or any related offence.
Buratai further argued that the publications portrayed him as corrupt, unpatriotic and complicit in acts inimical to Nigeria’s national security, thereby causing serious damage to his reputation, honour and standing within and outside the country.
He also accused Ali-Keffi of acting recklessly and maliciously, noting that the defendant allegedly admitted in the same publications that no investigation had established Buratai’s involvement in terrorism financing.
The former army chief is therefore asking the court to order an immediate retraction of the alleged defamatory statements and the publication of an unreserved public apology with equal prominence on Sahara Reporters, at least two national newspapers and all social media platforms where the statements were circulated.
In addition, Buratai is seeking N1 billion in general damages for libel, citing the gravity of the terrorism-related allegations, their wide dissemination and the status of the defendant as a retired senior military officer.
He is also asking for a perpetual injunction restraining Ali-Keffi from further publishing or repeating the alleged defamatory statements, as well as the full cost of the suit, including solicitor’s fees.
The writ of summons directs the defendant to enter an appearance within 21 days of service, failing which the court may proceed with the matter in his absence. As of the time of filing, no date had been fixed for hearing and the defendant had yet to respond to the suit.
