Court Grants Habeas Corpus Order on Sheikh Zaria Over Alleged Anti-Government Plot
A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has directed the Defence Intelligence Agency to present an Islamic cleric, Sheikh Sani Abdulkadir Zaria, before it on February 18 over allegations linking him to a coup plot against the administration of President Bola Tinubu.
Justice Peter Lifu issued the order on Friday, stressing that all security and intelligence institutions operate under civil authority within Nigeria’s democratic system.
He emphasised that the country remains under civilian governance and that constitutional safeguards apply to every citizen.
The directive followed a fundamental rights enforcement suit filed by the cleric’s legal team led by senior advocates Sunusi Musa and Abdul Aliyu, alongside Mohammed Sheriff.
The respondents in the suit include the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, the Defence Intelligence Agency, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, and Jaiz Bank Plc.
The court had earlier instructed the intelligence agency to either produce the cleric or provide the legal justification for his continued detention. During proceedings, counsel representing the DIA informed the court that the cleric was being held on behalf of Defence Headquarters, adding that the head of the Special Investigation Panel was out of the country.
Justice Lifu referenced constitutional provisions guaranteeing fair hearing and personal liberty, noting that Nigeria’s obligations under international human rights conventions require adherence to due process standards.
Sources close to the family linked the cleric’s detention to a N2 million transfer allegedly sent by one of his followers to the bank account of a detained leader of the Fityanul Islam Tijanniyya sect, who has been implicated in the reported coup investigation.
The court observed that since December 11, 2025, the cleric has been kept in what authorities described as protective custody without access to relatives or associates, pending investigations said to be based on security concerns.
The matter has been adjourned to February 18 for further proceedings.
