Court frees Islamic cleric detained over alleged plot to overthrow Tinubu

In a significant ruling, Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the immediate and unconditional release of Sani Abdulladir Zaria, a well-known Islamic scholar.

Zaria had been detained by the Defence Intelligence Agency and the Department of State Services following allegations that he was involved in a plot to overthrow President Bola Tinubu.

In a ruling delivered on Monday, the court also fined both agencies N2 million each, ordering that the total sum be paid to the 75-year-old cleric as compensation.

Justice Lifu held that the actions of the security agencies violated Sections 35 and 36 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, noting that the cleric was detained for over two months without being charged to court.

Delivering judgment in a fundamental rights suit instituted against DIA and others by the detained Islamic cleric,

Justice Lifu ordered the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, and Jaiz Bank to pay N1 million each as compensation to the plaintiff for freezing his bank account without order of any law court.

Besides, the Federal High Court directed the DIA and DSS to tender public apology to the detained islamic scholar for the breach of his fundamental rights.

Sheikh Sani Abdulladir Zaria was hauled into detention without order of court for allegedly associating with one of those involved in the alleged coup plot against President Tinubu.

Justice Lifu lambasted the DIA for its refusal to subordinate itself to civil rule and rule of law by refusing to produce the detained man in court when ordered to do so.

The judge said that as agency established by law, the DIA should not place itself above the law of the land in the discharge of its statutory functions.

He noted that Nigeria, being a signatory to different international conventions on human rights, cannot afford to record such cases of victimization.

The judge noted that since December 11, 2025, the applicant was kept in “safe custody” without access to family and associates after an investigation was opened about him, on grounds described as security reasons.

Justice Lifu ordered the Attorney General of the Federation, AGF, to ensure immediate compliance with the judgment.

The cleric was detained by the DIA since December last year following the discovery of N2 million in his Jaiz Bank account – paid by one of the indicted coup plotters.

Although he agreed to forfeit the amount to the Federal Government to regain his freedom, the security agency held him to determine the level of his complicity in the alleged coup plot.

The Islamic cleric claimed innocence of the alleged crimes adding that the person who transferred the money into his account was just one of his disciples.

Others sued along with DIA by Zaria’s lawyers Sunusi Musa, SAN, Abdul Aliyu, SAN, and Mohammed Sheriff, are the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, the Attorney General of the Federation, AGF, and Minister of Justice, and Jaiz Bank Plc.