A former Chief of Army Staff (COAS), retired Lt.-Gen. Farouk Yahaya has filed a N1.5 billion defamation suit against retired Maj.-Gen. Danjuma Ali-Keffi, Arise Broadcasting Limited, and Sahara Reporters Media Group.
Court documents show that the suit was instituted on Wednesday at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, Abuja, following the expiration of a demand notice earlier served on the defendants.
The development was confirmed in a statement issued on Friday in Abuja by Yahaya’s spokesperson, retired Brig.-Gen. Sani Usman, a former Director of Army Public Relations.
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According to the statement, the former army chief is seeking, among other reliefs, formal retractions and public apologies over publications he described as false, malicious, and damaging. He is also claiming monetary damages of N1.5 billion and N600 million from the defendants.
“The claimant contended that the publications and broadcasts unjustly linked him to allegations of terrorism financing, illegal mining, and banditry, claims which he said gravely injured his reputation, character, and integrity,” the statement said.
Usman added that the matter had been duly filed before the FCT High Court, Abuja, and that all defendants had been served and required to enter an appearance in accordance with the rules of court.
