The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the immediate and unconditional release of an Islamic cleric, Sheikh Sani Abdulladir Zaria, who was detained over an alleged plot to overthrow the government of President Bola Tinubu.
Delivering judgment on Monday, Justice Peter Lifu held that the continued detention of the 75-year-old scholar by the Defence Intelligence Agency and the Department of the State Services was unlawful.
The court also imposed a fine of N2m each on the DIA and DSS for violating the cleric’s fundamental rights, particularly his right to personal liberty and fair hearing as guaranteed under the Constitution.
Justice Lifu further ordered the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and Jaiz Bank to pay N1m each as compensation for freezing the cleric’s bank account without a valid court order.
In addition, the judge directed the security agencies to issue a public apology to Zaria for the breach of his rights, describing their actions as unacceptable under a democratic system.
The court heard that the cleric had been held since December 11, 2025, without trial or access to family members, following allegations linking him to individuals involved in the purported coup plot.
Justice Lifu faulted the DIA for failing to comply with court orders to produce the detainee, warning that no agency of government is above the law or exempt from judicial oversight.
He subsequently directed the Attorney-General of the Federation to ensure full compliance with the judgment, stressing that Nigeria must uphold both constitutional and international human rights obligations.
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