By Sumaila Ogbaje
Former Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Faruk Yahaya (rtd), has initiated legal action to defend his reputation, following allegations linking him to terrorism financing.
This is contained in a statement by former Army Spokesman, Brig.-Gen. Sani Usman (rtd), on Wednesday in Abuja.
Usman said the allegations were made by Maj.-Gen. Danjuma Ali-Keffi (rtd), during a broadcast interview.
He said that Yahaya served formal demand notices on the individuals and media outlets involved, through his legal team led by Mohammed Ndayako, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN).
According to him, the notices, dated Dec. 17, 2025, he gave the parties 72 hours to retract the claims, issue unreserved public apologies, and halt further dissemination.
Sani quoted the notices as saying, “Non-compliance, the notice warns, will trigger legal proceedings.
“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.”
“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.
(NAN)
Full text of the statement…
GENERAL FARUK YAHAYA SERVES DEMAND NOTICES OVER DEFAMATORY TERRORISM ALLEGATIONS
Lieutenant General (Dr) Faruk Yahaya (rtd) CFR NAM, Zaruman Sokoto, former Chief of Army Staff, Nigerian Army, has taken firm legal action to clear his name and defend his integrity following the circulation of false and malicious allegations linking him to alleged terrorism financiers by Major General Danjuma Hamisu Ali-Keffi (rtd) during an interview with Arise News and further amplified by Sahara Reporters. Acting through his legal team led by Mohammed Ndayako SAN, General Yahaya (rtd), has served formal demand notices on Major General Danjuma Hamisu Ali-Keffi (rtd), as well as the management of Arise News and Sahara Reporters, over 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.
General Yahaya’s decision to pursue legal redress is 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.
E-Signed:
Brigadier General Sani Kukasheka Usman (rtd) mni fnipr
Abuja
7th January 2026
