Court to Hear Nigerian Army’s Objection in ₦200 Billion Suit by Retired General April 30

Abuja — The National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN) has adjourned until April 30, 2026, the hearing of preliminary objections filed by the Nigerian Army in a ₦200 billion lawsuit brought by retired Major General Danjuma Hamisu Ali-Keffi.

The multi-billion-naira suit, registered as Suit No: NICN/48/399/2025, names the Nigerian Army, the Chief of Army Staff, the Nigerian Army Council, the Chief of Defence Staff, the Armed Forces Council, the Minister of Defence, and the Attorney-General of the Federation as the first through seventh respondents, respectively.

Ali-Keffi, who was compulsorily retired from service, is challenging his dismissal and seeking redress for what he describes as unlawful arrest, 64-day detention, torture, denial of fair hearing, and a dishonourable retirement.

The defendants, through a statement of defence, argued that the court lacks jurisdiction over the matter and contended that the suit is statute-barred, claiming that Ali-Keffi failed to appeal his compulsory retirement to the Army Council within the 90-day period prescribed under the Armed Forces Act.

According to court documents, Ali-Keffi was arrested on October 18, 2021, and detained until December 21, 2021. During this period, he claims he was never formally informed of any allegations, never charged, and never subjected to disciplinary proceedings or trial.

The retired officer insists that his detention violated his fundamental right to personal liberty under Section 35 of the 1999 Constitution, while the harsh conditions of his confinement amounted to torture, inhuman, and degrading treatment contrary to Section 34. He also alleges that his right to fair hearing under Section 36 was breached.

Ali-Keffi, who was appointed in October 2020 by the late President Muhammadu Buhari to lead the covert Presidential Task Force, Operation Service Wide (OSW), highlighted the release of terrorism financing suspects under military custody as a key concern during his tenure. OSW was mandated to investigate, arrest, and prosecute sponsors and collaborators of terrorist organisations.

He further claims that following his detention and compulsory retirement, he and his family received death threats, forcing multiple unplanned trips to the United Kingdom and Saudi Arabia, resulting in financial strain and psychological trauma.

In his suit, Ali-Keffi is seeking ₦100 billion as compensatory damages, another ₦100 billion as punitive damages, and ₦120 million as special damages representing lost allowances from January 2022 to January 2026. He also wants the court to nullify his compulsory retirement, declare it unconstitutional, and direct that he be treated as voluntarily retired at the mandatory age of 60, with full payment of pensions, gratuities, and terminal benefits, plus 10 percent interest per annum until final settlement.