The National Industrial Court (NIC) in Abuja has dismissed a suit filed by retired Major General Danjuma Hamisu Ali-Keffi challenging his compulsory retirement from the Nigerian Army.
The court ruled on Friday that the suit was statute-barred because it was filed outside the constitutional time limit.
The ruling followed a preliminary objection raised by the Nigerian Army and did not proceed to a full trial.
A source familiar with the case who spoke with Sahara Reporters, said Ali-Keffi’s lawyers planned to appeal after obtaining a copy of the ruling.
“The National Industrial Court ruled today that the matter in respect of retired Major General Ali-Keffi’s compulsory retirement is statute-barred because he instituted the case after the expiration of three months provided by the Constitution,” the source said.
The court also declined jurisdiction over his fundamental rights claims and directed him to seek relief before a federal or state high court.
“On the issue of abuse of fundamental human rights, the court said it lacked jurisdiction and that he could seek relief in the federal or state high courts. So, effectively, the case was dismissed. He has the option of either appealing the ruling or filing a fresh lawsuit in the high court. His legal team will weigh the options and decide on the next course of action,” the source added.
The ruling is a setback for Ali-Keffi, who had asked the court to nullify his compulsory retirement and award him over ₦200 billion in damages and compensation.
He sued 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 over his arrest, detention and compulsory retirement.
Ali-Keffi alleged that he was unlawfully detained for 64 days and forced out of service after raising concerns over the handling of terrorism-financing suspects arrested under a covert presidential operation.
He served as commander of Operation Service Wide, a special presidential task force established by former President Muhammadu Buhari in October 2020 to investigate, arrest and prosecute financiers and collaborators of terrorist groups in Nigeria.
He had alleged that some suspects arrested during the operation were released despite ongoing investigations.
According to court documents, Ali-Keffi was arrested by military authorities on October 18, 2021, and detained until December 21, 2021.
He claimed he was not informed of the allegations against him or charged before any court or military tribunal during the period.
Ali-Keffi said he was handed a compulsory retirement letter immediately after his release on December 21, 2021.
The letter reportedly cited incompetence and disloyalty to constituted authority.
He argued that the allegations were not formally communicated to him and were not established through disciplinary proceedings.
The retired officer maintained that the retirement amounted to punitive dismissal disguised as administrative action.
Ali-Keffi asked the court to nullify the retirement and direct the defendants to treat him as having retired voluntarily upon attaining the statutory retirement age.
He also demanded ₦100 billion in general damages for alleged unlawful arrest, detention, reputational injury and emotional trauma, as well as another ₦100 billion in punitive damages.
He further sought ₦120 million in special damages for salaries and allowances he claimed he would have earned between January 2022 and January 2026, alongside pensions, gratuities and other terminal benefits due to an officer of his rank.
