Ex‑Army Chief Faruk Yahaya Sues Ali‑Keffi for ₦1.5 Billion Over Alleged Defamation
Ex‑Army Chief Faruk Yahaya Sues Ali‑Keffi for ₦1.5 Billion Over Alleged Defamation
Retired Lieutenant General (Dr.) Faruk Yahaya, a former Chief of Army Staff (COAS) of the Nigerian Army, has filed a high‑stakes defamation lawsuit seeking ₦1.5 billion in damages against retired Major General Danjuma Hamisu Ali‑Keffi and other media defendants at the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja.
The legal action, instituted on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, follows the expiration of demand notices that Gen. Yahaya’s legal team served on the defendants, urging them to retract and apologize for reports he contends were false and defamatory.
Yahaya’s suit names Ali‑Keffi alongside Arise Broadcasting Limited and Sahara Reporters Media Group Inc., and seeks ₦1.5 billion in damages related to statements linking the retired army chief to terrorism financing, illegal mining and banditry, which he maintains are baseless and harmful to his reputation and career.
According to Brigadier General Sani Kukasheka Usman (retd.), former Director of Army Public Relations, Yahaya views the publications as “false, malicious and injurious to his reputation, character, and integrity.”
Legal Background and Demand Notice
Before the lawsuit was filed, Yahaya’s lawyers, led by Mohammed Ndayako SAN, issued formal demand notices on December 17, 2025, requiring public retractions and apologies within 72 hours. The notices stated that the alleged defamatory claims had no factual basis and were defamatory in motive and effect.
When the defendants failed to respond to the demand, Yahaya proceeded to file the suit for damages and other reliefs, including court‑ordered apologies and cessation of further claims.
The lawsuit stems from allegations made by Ali‑Keffi in various media reports accusing Yahaya of being linked to terrorism financing and undermining national security claims that the former army chief has repeatedly described as “spurious, baseless and entirely untrue.”
Yahaya’s legal team argues that such allegations, coming from a fellow retired military officer, risk causing irreparable damage to his legacy and professional standing.
The defendants have been served with court papers and are expected to enter appearances in accordance with court procedures.
ATP NEWS
