Buratai Sues Retired General for ₦1 Billion Over Terrorism Allegations

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Former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Yusufu Buratai (retd.), has filed a ₦1 billion lawsuit against another retired senior military officer, Maj. Gen. Danjuma Hamisu Ali-Keffi (retd.), accusing him of making defamatory statements that linked him to terrorism activities.

The suit, lodged on January 8, 2026, before the Kaduna State High Court, centres on allegations that Ali-Keffi made and circulated damaging claims suggesting Buratai was involved in terrorism financing, had connections with Boko Haram suspects, and had allegedly facilitated the release or cover-up of terror suspects.

According to the writ of summons and statement of claim submitted by his legal representatives, A.I. Aliyu and A.M. Hassan of Law Plus Consult, Buratai is asking the court to declare the statements attributed to Ali-Keffi—and published across various online platforms including Sahara Reporters—as false, malicious, libellous, and harmful to his reputation.

Court filings indicate that Ali-Keffi granted several interviews in 2025 in which he insinuated that Buratai had ties to terror financiers and was involved in suppressing information about terrorism-related activities during his tenure as army chief.

Buratai noted that these allegations were widely disseminated across Facebook, 𝕏 (formerly Twitter), WhatsApp, Instagram, and other media outlets, giving the claims significant national and international exposure.

The former army chief firmly denied all accusations, emphasizing that he has never been investigated, indicted, or convicted for terrorism, terrorism financing, or any similar offence.

He argued that the publications portrayed him as corrupt, unpatriotic, and complicit in acts that threaten Nigeria’s national security—allegations he said had severely damaged his personal and professional reputation both locally and globally.

Buratai further accused Ali-Keffi of acting in bad faith, pointing out that the retired general allegedly admitted in the same interviews that no official investigation had found Buratai guilty of terrorism financing or related crimes.

As a result, he is asking the court to order the defendant to immediately retract the statements and publish an unconditional apology with the same level of visibility—specifically in Sahara Reporters, at least two national newspapers, and on all social media platforms where the allegations were posted.

Buratai is also demanding ₦1 billion in general damages for libel, citing the seriousness of the terrorism accusations, the wide reach of the publications, and the fact that the allegations came from a fellow senior military officer.

Additionally, he is seeking a perpetual injunction preventing Ali-Keffi from repeating or republishing the alleged defamatory claims, as well as a court order for the defendant to pay the full legal costs associated with the suit, including solicitor’s fees.

The writ instructs Ali-Keffi to enter an appearance within 21 days of being served; otherwise, the court may proceed with the case in his absence.

As of the time of this report, no hearing date has been set, and the defendant has not yet filed a formal response.