Former Chief of Army Staff, Retired Lieutenant General Faruk Yahaya, has taken legal action against Major General Danjuma Hamisu Ali-Keffi (rtd) and several media outlets, seeking ₦1.5 billion in damages for defamation.
Naijaonpoint reports that the suit was filed at the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Abuja, on Wednesday, January 14, 2026.
The legal case comes after formal demand notices sent to the defendants expired without compliance.
Gen Yahaya had requested retractions, public apologies, and a stop to the spread of statements he claimed harmed his reputation.
The lawsuit, according to Brigadier General Sani Kukasheka Usman (rtd), former Director of Army Public Relations, also seeks ₦600 million in additional damages over reports linking Gen Yahaya to terrorism financing, illegal mining, and banditry.
Court documents show that the defendants have been served and are expected to respond according to the court’s rules.
The case follows claims made by Ali-Keffi suggesting Gen Yahaya had ties to terrorism financiers.
Gen Yahaya has repeatedly denied the allegations, describing them as false and harmful.
Acting through his lawyer, Mohammed Ndayako SAN, he had given the defendants 72 hours from December 17, 2025, to retract the statements and apologise publicly. Their refusal led to the lawsuit.
Gen Yahaya accused Ali-Keffi of acting on personal grievances connected to previous disciplinary matters in the military.
He insisted the claims were entirely unfounded and intended to damage his reputation.
He affirmed that throughout his career, including his time as Army Chief, he had no involvement with terrorism financing or any actions against national security.
Gen Yahaya also stressed that false accusations driven by personal motives would be legally challenged, reaffirming his commitment to law, accountability, and professional service.