Former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai (retd.), has approached the Federal High Court in Kaduna State with a ₦1 billion defamation lawsuit against another retired senior military officer, Maj. Gen. Ali-Keffi (retd.).
The legal action was filed on Thursday at the Kaduna Judicial Division of the court.
In the suit, Buratai accused Ali-Keffi of allegedly making and circulating statements he described as false, malicious, and defamatory, which purportedly linked him to terrorism financing, Boko Haram suspects, and the unlawful release and concealment of terror suspects.
Through his legal representatives, A.I. Aliyu and A.M. Hassan of Law Plus Consult, Buratai is seeking declarations that the statements attributed to the defendant and published on various online news platforms and across social media are defamatory and damaging to his reputation.
Court documents indicate that the plaintiff alleged that Ali-Keffi granted interviews in 2025 in which he insinuated that Buratai had connections with terror suspects and financiers, and was involved in conspiracies to shield terrorism-related activities during his tenure as Chief of Army Staff.
Buratai further maintained that the publications gained wide circulation online and on social media platforms including Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), WhatsApp and Instagram, thereby extending the reach of the allegations both within Nigeria and internationally.
In his statement of claim, the retired army chief described the allegations as completely unfounded, 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, disloyal, and complicit in actions harmful to Nigeria’s national security, resulting in serious damage to his reputation, dignity, and standing at both national and international levels.
Buratai also alleged that the defendant acted recklessly and with malice, noting that Ali-Keffi reportedly admitted 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 Ali-Keffi to immediately retract the alleged defamatory statements and issue an unreserved public apology with equal prominence in Sahara Reporters, two national newspapers, and on all social media platforms where the statements were circulated.
He is claiming ₦1 billion as general damages for libel and reputational injury, citing the seriousness of the terrorism-related allegations, their extensive circulation, and the defendant’s position as a retired senior military officer.
In addition, Buratai is seeking a perpetual injunction restraining Ali-Keffi from further publishing or repeating the alleged defamatory statements, alongside an order directing him to pay the full cost of the suit, including solicitor’s fees.
The writ of summons instructs the defendant to enter an appearance within 21 days of being served, failing which the court may proceed to hear the case in his absence.
As of the time of filing this report, no hearing date has been fixed, and Ali-Keffi has not filed any response to the suit.
What you should know
This case highlights rising legal disputes among retired military officers over public statements and media interviews.
Defamation suits involving allegations of terrorism are considered especially grave under Nigerian law because of their potential impact on national security and personal reputation. By seeking heavy damages, public retractions, and injunctions, Buratai is aiming not only to clear his name but also to deter further publication of similar claims.
The outcome could shape how former public officials engage in public commentary about security matters.
