Sheikh Khalifa Sani Abdulkadir, a Kaduna-based Islamic scholar, has been found alive and is currently being held in protective custody by federal security agencies. The cleric's arrest followed an investigation into his alleged links to a suspected coup plot against President Bola Tinubu's administration. The investigation was triggered by a financial transaction traced to the cleric's bank account, where about ₦2 million was transferred from a military officer allegedly involved in an attempted coup.
The military officer, who obtained Sheikh Khalifa's bank account details through one of his students, claimed the transaction was a routine spiritual offering. However, the cleric's family disputes this, saying the money was transferred as a request for prayers and blessings. The family's claims have been met with skepticism, given the suspicious circumstances surrounding the transaction.
Sheikh Khalifa's disappearance had sparked nationwide concern after he reportedly travelled to Abuja to address the sudden freezing of his bank account. His family had lost contact with him shortly after the trip, raising fears about his whereabouts. The cleric's legal team has filed a Fundamental Rights suit seeking his release, which has been heard twice at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
The revelation that Sheikh Khalifa Sani Abdulkadir is alive and in protective custody raises more questions than answers about the alleged coup plot against President Tinubu's administration. The fact that a military officer was able to transfer ₦2 million into the cleric's bank account without his knowledge or consent is a clear indication of a deeper conspiracy. Sheikh Khalifa's family claims that the transaction was a routine spiritual offering, but the suspicious circumstances surrounding it suggest otherwise. As the investigation unfolds, it is imperative that the authorities provide clarity on the matter and ensure that those involved are held accountable. The implications of this case are far-reaching, and Nigerians deserve to know the truth about the alleged coup plot and the role of Sheikh Khalifa in it.
