Former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai (retd.), has instituted a ₦1 billion defamation suit against another retired senior military officer, Maj. Gen. Ali-Keffi (retd.), at the Federal High Court in Kaduna State.
The suit, filed on Thursday at the Kaduna Judicial Division, accuses Ali-Keffi of making and circulating false, malicious and defamatory claims allegedly linking Buratai to terrorism financing, Boko Haram suspects, and the unlawful release and concealment of terror suspects.
Through his legal team, A.I. Aliyu and A.M. Hassan of Law Plus Consult, Buratai is asking the court to declare that the statements attributed to the defendant and published on various online news platforms and social media channels are defamatory and damaging to his reputation.
Court documents indicate that Buratai alleged Ali-Keffi granted interviews in 2025 in which he suggested that the former army chief had connections with terror suspects and financiers, and was involved in plots to conceal terrorism-related activities during his tenure as Chief of Army Staff.
The plaintiff further stated that the publications were widely disseminated online and across social media platforms such as Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), WhatsApp and Instagram, giving the allegations both national and international exposure.
In his statement of claim, Buratai described the allegations as entirely false, emphasising that he has never been investigated, indicted or convicted for terrorism, terrorism financing or any related offence.
He argued that the claims portrayed him as corrupt, unpatriotic and complicit in actions harmful to Nigeria’s national security, thereby causing serious damage to his reputation, honour and standing at home and abroad.
Buratai also alleged that Ali-Keffi acted recklessly and maliciously, despite acknowledging in the same publications that no investigation had established Buratai’s involvement in terrorism financing.
The former army chief is asking the court to compel the defendant to immediately withdraw the alleged defamatory statements and issue an unreserved public apology with equal prominence in Sahara Reporters, two national newspapers, and across all social media platforms where the statements appeared.
He is seeking ₦1 billion in general damages for libel and reputational injury, citing the seriousness of the terrorism-related allegations, their wide circulation, and the defendant’s status as a retired senior military officer.
In addition, Buratai is requesting a perpetual injunction restraining Ali-Keffi from further publishing or repeating the alleged defamatory statements, as well as an order directing him to pay the full cost of the suit, including legal fees.
The writ of summons requires Ali-Keffi to enter an appearance within 21 days of service, failing which the court may proceed with the case in his absence.
As of the time of filing this report, no hearing date has been scheduled, and the defendant has yet to file a response to the suit.