By Ogungbayi Adeyemi S. | adeyemi@ddnewsonline.com
Editor, DDNews |
The National Industrial Court in Abuja has dismissed a suit filed by retired Major General Danjuma Hamisu Ali-Keffi challenging his compulsory retirement from the Nigerian Army and alleging violations of his fundamental human rights.
The court, on Friday, upheld a preliminary objection by the Nigerian Army, ruling that the case was statute-barred as it was filed outside the constitutional three-month time limit.
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The ruling did not proceed to full trial on the merit of the case.
The court also declined jurisdiction over the human rights claims, directing Ali-Keffi to seek relief at a Federal or State High Court.
A source close to the matter said the retired general’s legal team intends to appeal the ruling once they receive a certified true copy.
“The National Industrial Court ruled today (Friday) 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.
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Ali-Keffi had dragged the Nigerian Army, Chief of Army Staff, Nigerian Army Council, Chief of Defence Staff, Armed Forces Council, Minister of Defence, and the Attorney-General of the Federation before the court.
He sought to nullify his compulsory retirement and demanded over ₦200 billion in damages, including ₦100 billion in general damages and another ₦100 billion in punitive damages for unlawful arrest, detention, and reputational damage.
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Background of the Case Ali-Keffi served as commander of Operation Service Wide, a special presidential task force established by former President Muhammadu Buhari in 2020 to track and prosecute terrorism financiers. He was arrested on October 18, 2021, detained for 64 days without trial, and handed a compulsory retirement letter immediately upon release on December 21, 2021.
He alleged that his retirement was punitive and stemmed from his concerns over the alleged release of high-profile terrorism financing suspects.
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With the suit dismissed, Ali-Keffi and his legal team will now weigh options between appealing the ruling at the Court of Appeal or filing a fresh action at the High Court on the human rights component.
DDNewsOnline – Lagos
By Ogungbayi Adeyemi S. (Beedee)
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