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The former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai (retd.), has filed a N1bn defamation case against another retired high-ranking military official, Maj. Gen. Danjuma Ali-Keffi (retd.), in the Kaduna State High Court.

The legal action, initiated on January 8, 2026, at the Kaduna Judicial Division of the High Court, alleges that Ali-Keffi created and spread what are claimed to be false, harmful, and damaging statements connecting Buratai to terrorism funding, individuals linked to Boko Haram, and the unlawful release and hiding of terror suspects.

Buratai, with the advice of A.I. Aliyu and A.M. Hassan from Law Plus Consult, is pursuing legal declarations stating that the statements attributed to the defendant and shared on various online platforms, such as Sahara Reporters and other news and social media sites, are defamatory and damaging to his reputation.

As per court records, the plaintiff asserts that the defendant gave interviews in 2025 where he is said to have implied that Buratai had connections with terrorist suspects and financiers, and that he was part of plots to conceal terrorism-related actions while serving as Chief of Army Staff.

The former army chief maintains that the publications were widely circulated online and on social media platforms such as Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), WhatsApp and Instagram, giving the allegations national and international reach.

In his formal complaint, Buratai labeled the accusations as completely untrue, emphasizing that he has never undergone an investigation, been charged, or found guilty of terrorism, financing terrorism, or any associated crime.

He claimed that the statements depicted him as corrupt, unpatriotic, and involved in actions harmful to Nigeria’s national security, thus severely harming his reputation, dignity, and status both within and beyond the country.

He also claimed that the defendant acted with negligence and ill intent, even though he acknowledged in the same articles that no inquiry had confirmed Buratai’s connection to terrorist funding.

Buratai is requesting the court to compel Ali-Keffi to immediately withdraw the claimed defamatory remarks and issue a sincere public apology, which should be published with the same visibility in Sahara Reporters, two national newspapers, and on all social media platforms where the statements were shared.

The plaintiff is seeking N1bn in general damages for defamation and harm to their reputation, referencing the severity of the terrorism-related accusations, the extensive distribution of the articles, and the defendant’s position as a former high-ranking military official.

Furthermore, Buratai is requesting a permanent injunction to prevent Ali-Keffi from continuing to publish or restate the alleged defamatory remarks, along with a directive requiring him to cover all expenses of the case, including legal fees.

The summons requires Ali-Keffi to file a response within 21 days of receiving it, otherwise the court has the authority to address the case without his presence.

As of the date this report was submitted, no start date has been set for the hearing, and the defendant has not yet submitted a reply to the lawsuit.

Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc.Syndigate.info).