Ex-Army Chief Yahaya Takes Legal Action Over Terrorism Financing Allegations

Former Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General (Dr) Faruk Yahaya (rtd), has taken legal action against Major General Danjuma Hamisu Ali-Keffi (rtd) over the latter’s claims that he (General Yahaya) was financing terrorism in Nigeria.

Gen. Ali-Keffi (rtd) had made the allegations against the former COAS during an interview on Arise News Channel and further amplified by an online newspaper.

Gen. Yahaya (rtd), in a statement issued by Brig-Gen. Sani Usman (Rtd), said the move was to clear his name and defend his integrity following the circulation of the false and malicious allegations linking him to alleged terrorism financiers.

Major General Ali-Keffi (rtd) had during the TV interview named Lt-Gen. Faruk Yahaya (rtd) and other top military officers as the alleged links to terrorism financing.

General Yahaya, acting through his legal team led by Mohammed Ndayako, SAN, has, therefore, served formal demand notices on Major General Ali-Keffi (rtd), as well as the management of Arise News and Sahara Reporters, over the contents of what he called defamatory interviews, reports, and publications widely circulated in recent days.

“The demand notices, dated 17th December 2025, give the affected parties seventy-two (72) hours from the date of the receipt of the demand notices to retract the false allegations, issue unreserved public apologies and immediately cease further publication or dissemination of the claims. Failure to comply will result in legal action,” he said.

According to the statement, General Yahaya’s decision to pursue legal redress was aimed not only at protecting his personal honour, but also at discouraging the dangerous spread of unverified allegations capable of undermining public trust in national institutions and those who have served the nation with distinction.

“He remains committed to the rule of law, accountability, professionalism, truth and will not allow falsehoods driven by malice or personal grievances to go unchallenged,” the statement added.