The National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN) in Abuja on Wednesday heard a lawsuit filed by retired Major General Danjuma Hamisu Ali-Keffi, challenging his compulsory retirement from the Nigerian Army.
The case lists 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 respondents.
In his application, Ali-Keffi is asking the court to set aside the retirement letter issued to him, describing the action as unlawful and unconstitutional. He is also seeking a declaration that the decision violated provisions of the Constitution, military regulations, and the Armed Forces Act.
The retired general alleges that he was unlawfully arrested, detained for several weeks, denied fair hearing, and subjected to what he termed an improper compulsory retirement process. He further claims that the actions taken against him breached his constitutional rights.
Ali-Keffi, who previously headed a covert Presidential Task Force known as Operation Service Wide, says the unit was established to investigate and prosecute terrorism financiers and collaborators. He maintains that his work exposed irregularities, including concerns over the handling of suspects in military custody.
Court documents indicate that he was arrested in October 2021 and detained until December of the same year.
In addition to seeking the nullification of his retirement, he is requesting full payment of pensions, gratuities, and other entitlements associated with his rank and years of service, with interest until settlement. He is also asking the court to recognise him as having retired voluntarily upon attaining the statutory retirement age.
The defence, however, has challenged the court’s jurisdiction to hear the matter, arguing that the suit is statute-barred and that the claimant failed to exhaust internal military appeal procedures within the prescribed timeframe.
The court has adjourned the case to April 30, 2026, for hearing of the preliminary objections filed by the respondents.
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