Former Chief of Army Staff, retired Lt.-Gen. Faruk Yahaya, has kicked off legal proceedings to defend his reputation against allegations linking him to terrorism financing, a close associate has disclosed.
The development was contained in a statement issued on Wednesday in Abuja by retired Brig.-Gen. Sani Usman, a former Army spokesman.
Usman said the controversial claims were made by retired Maj.-Gen. Danjuma Ali-Keffi, during a broadcast interview, prompted Yahaya to take immediate legal steps to clear his name.
According to the statement, Yahaya, through his legal team led by Senior Advocate of Nigeria Mohammed Ndayako, served formal demand notices on the individuals and media outlets involved.
The notices, dated December 17, 2025, granted the parties 72 hours to retract the allegations, issue unreserved public apologies, and cease further publication or discussion of the claims.
Usman quoted the demand notices, which underscored the seriousness of the issue, “Non‑compliance, the notice warns, will trigger legal proceedings.”
He added that the notice emphasised the danger of spreading unfounded claims.
“False and malicious allegations of this nature are dangerous and capable of undermining public trust in our national institutions and those who have served the nation with distinction,” the statement read.
Usman said the legal action is intended not just to protect Yahaya’s personal honour, but also to reinforce principles of professionalism, truth, and accountability.
“Gen. Yahaya said his legal action was not only to protect his personal honour but also to uphold professionalism, truth, and accountability, emphasising that malicious falsehoods would not go unchallenged,” he said.