Coup: Court orders FG to produce Zaria cleric Feb 18

A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) to produce before it, on February 18, an Islamic cleric, Sheikh Sani Abdulkadir Zaria, accused of coup plot against President Bola Tinubu’s government.

Justice Peter Lifu on Friday, while making the order, said all authorities, were subordinated under the civil authority “as we are in a civilian rule”.

The judge held that the provisions of Section 36(1)(5) and (6) of the Nigerian Constitution 1999 avails him and “for all citizens.”

He noted that Nigeria being a signatory to different international conventions on human rights and Nigeria could not afford to be held behind on such issues.

Following a fundamental rights enforcement application brought by Zaria’s lawyers, Sunusi Musa (SAN), Abdul Aliyu (SAN), and Mohammed Sheriff, against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the DIA, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, and Jaiz Bank Plc seeking his release from detention, the court on Thursday directed the DIA to produce him or show the legal authority for his continued detention.

The judge, on Thursday, fixed the matter for ruling after hours of waiting, counsel to the DIA I. O. Odom Esq, whose position was adopted by the EFCC counsel M.C. Odimbaiwe Esq, informed the court that the applicant was only being held on behalf of the Defence Headquarters, adding that the agency’s provost marshal informed him that the chairman of the Special Investigation Panel (SIP) had travelled out of the country.

Family sources linked the cleric’s ordeal to a N2 million gift wired to the bank account of the detained leader of the Fityanul Islam Tijanniyya sect by one of his adherents, who was indicted in the recent coup allegation.

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.

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