Former Chief of Army Staff Tukur Yusufu Buratai (retd.) has filed a ₦1 billion lawsuit against fellow retired senior military officer Danjuma Hamisu Ali‑Keffi at the Kaduna State High Court, accusing him of defamation.
The suit, lodged on January 8, 2026, at the Kaduna Judicial Division, stems from allegations that Ali‑Keffi made and circulated false statements linking Buratai to terrorism financing, association with Boko Haram suspects, and the alleged illegal release and concealment of terror suspects.
In the writ of summons and statement of claim filed by his counsel, A.I. Aliyu and A.M. Hassan of Law Plus Consult, Buratai asked the court to declare that the statements credited to Ali‑Keffi and published on several online platforms — including Sahara Reporters and other social media outlets — are libelous and damaging to his reputation.
Court documents show Buratai alleged that Ali‑Keffi granted interviews in 2025 insinuating that the former army chief had links with terror suspects and financiers and was involved in conspiracies to cover up terrorism‑related activities during his tenure.
He noted that the publications were widely circulated across Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), WhatsApp, and Instagram, giving the allegations both national and international reach.
Buratai’s Defence
Buratai maintained that the allegations were entirely false. He stressed that he had never been investigated, indicted, or convicted for terrorism, terrorism financing, or any related offence.
He argued that the publications portrayed him as corrupt, unpatriotic, and complicit in acts inimical to Nigeria’s national security, thereby gravely damaging his honour and standing both locally and internationally.
Buratai further accused Ali‑Keffi of acting recklessly and maliciously, despite allegedly admitting in the same publications that no investigation had established Buratai’s involvement in terrorism financing.
Consequently, Buratai is asking the court to compel Ali‑Keffi to immediately retract the alleged defamatory statements and publish an unreserved public apology with equal prominence in Sahara Reporters, at least two national newspapers, and on all social media platforms where the statements were circulated.
He is also claiming ₦1 billion as general damages for libel, citing the gravity of terrorism‑related allegations, their wide dissemination, and the defendant’s status as a retired senior military officer.
Additionally, Buratai seeks a perpetual injunction restraining Ali‑Keffi from further publishing or repeating the alleged defamatory statements, alongside an order awarding 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 to hear the matter in his absence.
As of press time, no date had been fixed for the commencement of the hearing, and Ali‑Keffi had yet to file a response to the suit.
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