Federal Government Unable to Present Court Authorization for Zaria Cleric's Detention

The Federal Government has been unable to furnish a court order authorizing the detention of Sheikh Sani Abdulkadir Zaria, an Islamic cleric alleged to be involved in a coup conspiracy against President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

On Thursday, Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja instructed the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) to present a purported order based on the Administration of Criminal Justice Act for the cleric's detention, after I O. Odom, the agency's counsel, committed to providing it.

During a hearing concerning the fundamental rights enforcement application brought forward by Sheikh Zaria's lawyer, Sunusi Musa (SAN), against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the DIA, and the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, alongside Jaiz Bank Plc, the lawyer sought his client's release pending the motion's deliberation.

However, when the counsel failed to produce the alleged order, the court recessed from 11 am to 3 pm to allow for its presentation.

Upon resuming, Odom requested additional time to provide the court order, explaining that the defendant was being held on behalf of the Defence Headquarters. He added that the agency’s provost marshal had informed him the chairman of the Special Investigation Panel (SIP) was currently outside the country.

This request received support from the EFCC counsel.

The judge expressed frustration over the inability of the counsel to disclose the name or details of the court where the order had been issued, including the date.

The judge subsequently postponed the matter for a ruling on Friday.

Family members of the cleric have attributed his current predicament to a ₦2 million transfer made to the bank account of the detained leader of the Fityanul Islam Tijanniyya sect, reportedly made by one of his followers implicated in the coup claims.

Following the court proceedings, an associate of the detained cleric, Khalifa Dr Sheikh Aliyu Ahamad Abulfathi, criticized the actions of the federal government agencies regarding the issue.