Hauwa Umar Saulawa has lodged a fundamental‑rights case in the [Katsina State High Court](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High_Court_of_Nigeria), asking the court to award her N5 million after alleging she was arrested, detained and subjected to 33 strokes of the cane over an alleged adultery accusation.
The filing, recorded as suit number KTH/3077/2026, was submitted by her counsel, Mujaheed Alameen of Imtiyaz Law Chambers, at the Katsina Judicial Division on 7 October 2026.
Who are the defendants?
The respondents include the [Katsina State Hisbah Board](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hisbah), former Deputy Commander‑General Muhammad Shitu Maslaha, operations officer Nafiu M. Akilu, women’s operations officer Huraira Ahmad, and Kabiru Mashi, popularly known as “KB Engineer”.
What are the allegations?
Saulawa claims she was taken into custody on 21 August and held until about 3 pm the following day. She argues that the arrest and subsequent detention breached her constitutional right to personal liberty.
She further alleges that she was caned 33 times in connection with the adultery claim, an act she says infringes on the right to human dignity protected by Section 34 of the [1999 Constitution](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Constitution_of_Nigeria), as amended.
“I was subjected to 33 strokes of the cane,” she wrote in the court documents.
On what legal basis is the claim made?
Saulawa seeks a declaration that the arrest, detention, assault and flogging were unlawful and violated her fundamental rights. She also relies on the [African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/African_Charter_on_Human_and_Peoples%27_Rights), contending that the defendants’ actions contravene the regional human‑rights instrument.
What relief is being sought?
Among the remedies requested are an injunction preventing the defendants, their officers or agents from arresting, detaining, assaulting, threatening or otherwise harassing her in relation to the matter; a written apology; payment of N5 million in damages; and reimbursement of legal costs. She also asks the court to grant any further relief it deems appropriate.
The suit was formally dated 7 October 2026. As of the time of this report, the Katsina State Hisbah Board and the other named defendants have not issued any public response to the allegations.