Sheikh Sani Abdulladir Zaria, a 75-year-old Islamic scholar, was ordered released by the Federal High Court in Abuja after being detained for over two months without trial by the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) and the Department of State Services (DSS). Justice Peter Lifu ruled on Monday that the arrest and continued detention of the cleric violated sections 35 and 36 of the Nigerian Constitution, calling the actions of the security agencies unlawful. The court ordered the immediate and unconditional release of Sheikh Zaria, who was held in connection with an alleged coup plot against President Bola Tinubu, despite no formal charges being filed. Justice Lifu imposed a fine of N2 million each on the DIA and DSS, directing the agencies to pay the amount to the cleric as compensation for the breach of his fundamental rights. The court also ordered the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and Jaiz Bank to pay N1 million each for freezing the cleric's bank account without a court order. The judge directed the DIA and DSS to issue a public apology to Sheikh Sani Abdulladir Zaria for the rights violations. The cleric was arrested for allegedly associating with one of the individuals linked to the coup plot, though the court found no legal basis for his prolonged detention. Justice Lifu criticized the DIA for failing to appear in court to justify the detention, describing the act as a refusal to respect civil authority and the rule of law. The court's judgment emphasized the need for state agencies to operate within constitutional limits, particularly in matters involving personal liberty.
A senior cleric was held for over two months without trial, and only a court order forced the DIA and DSS to release him, exposing the unchecked power these agencies wield over citizens. The N2 million fines and mandatory apologies do not erase the fact that constitutional rights were suspended on suspicion alone. If security agencies can detain a public figure without charges, the average Nigerian has even less protection. This case reveals how easily due process can be discarded in the name of national security.
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