Former Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai (retd.), has filed a ₦1bn defamation suit against a retired major-general, Danjuma Ali-Keffi, over allegations linking him to terrorism financing and the shielding of Boko Haram suspects.
The suit, instituted on Thursday before a Kaduna State High Court, followed claims allegedly made by Ali-Keffi in interviews circulated online, accusing Buratai of maintaining ties with terrorism-linked individuals and facilitating the unlawful release of terror suspects during his tenure as army chief.
Buratai, through his lawyers, A.I. Aliyu and A.M. Hassan of Law Plus Consult, urged the court to declare that the publications—reportedly first published by Sahara Reporters and amplified across social and digital media platforms—were false, malicious and gravely injurious to his reputation.
In his statement of claim, the former army chief said the allegations, which surfaced in 2025 interviews granted by Ali-Keffi, portrayed him as a sponsor of terrorism and a threat to national security, despite the defendant’s alleged admission that no official investigation had ever indicted him.
He said the claims spread rapidly across Facebook, X, WhatsApp and Instagram, exposing him to public ridicule, professional disrepute and international embarrassment.
Buratai insisted that he had never been investigated, indicted or convicted for terrorism or terrorism financing, describing the accusations as “baseless, reckless and deliberately misleading.”
According to him, the publications painted him as “an unpatriotic citizen and a corrupt public officer,” thereby undermining his integrity, honour and standing both within Nigeria and in the international community.
The former army chief further accused Ali-Keffi of acting with malice and reckless disregard for the truth, stressing that terrorism-related allegations were particularly damaging given Nigeria’s prolonged battle with insurgency.
He is asking the court to compel the defendant to issue an unreserved public apology and retract the statements with equal prominence on Sahara Reporters, two national newspapers and across all social media platforms where the allegations were circulated.
Buratai also wants the court to award ₦1bn as general damages for libel, citing the gravity of the allegations, their wide circulation and the influence associated with the defendant’s status as a retired senior military officer.
In addition, he is seeking a perpetual injunction restraining Ali-Keffi from further publishing or repeating the alleged defamatory statements, as well as an order compelling him to bear the full cost of the litigation, including legal fees.
The writ of summons directed the defendant to enter an appearance within 21 days of service, failing which the court may proceed with the case in his absence. No hearing date has been fixed.
'
'Do you want to share a story with us? Do you want to advertise with us? Do you need publicity for a product, service, or event? Contact us on WhatsApp +2348183319097 Email: platformtimes@gmail.com
We are committed to impactful investigative journalism for human interest and social justice. Your donation will help us tell more stories. Kindly donate any amount HERE
