The Federal Government on Thursday failed to present any court order authorising the continued detention of Sheikh Sani Abdulkadir Zaria, the Islamic cleric accused of involvement in an alleged coup plot against President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
MaaziTV reports that Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court, Abuja, had directed the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) to produce the purported detention order, reportedly obtained under the Administration of Criminal Justice Act.
Counsel to the agency, I.O. Odom, had earlier assured the court that the document would be provided.
The order was requested during the hearing of a fundamental rights enforcement suit filed by the cleric through his lawyer, Sunusi Musa (SAN), against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the DIA, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, and Jaiz Bank Plc.
The cleric is seeking his immediate release pending the determination of the substantive motion. However, when the matter was called, Odom failed to produce the alleged court order supporting the detention.
Justice Lifu subsequently stood down proceedings from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. to allow the defence time to present the document.
Upon resumption, counsel to the DIA requested additional time, claiming that the cleric was being held on behalf of the Defence Headquarters. He informed the court that the agency’s provost marshal said the Chairman of the Special Investigation Panel, allegedly in possession of the relevant documents, had left the country.
Counsel to the EFCC supported this submission.
Visibly displeased, Justice Lifu questioned why the defence could not provide the name of the court that allegedly issued the detention order, the date it was granted, or any other identifying details. The judge adjourned the matter for ruling on Friday.
Cleric Challenges Alleged Rights Violation
In suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/55/2026, Sheikh Sani Abdulkadir is challenging what he described as violations of his “fundamental right to dignity of human person, personal liberty, fair hearing, and right to freedom of movement.”
In a motion ex parte dated January 12, 2026, his legal team urged the court to “release the Applicant forthwith from detention pending the hearing and determination of the Originating Motion filed in this suit.”
Alternatively, they requested “an order directing the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Respondents to produce the Applicant in Court on a fixed date for the hearing of the Originating Motion for the purpose of being admitted to bail by the Court.”
Ruling on the ex parte application, Justice Lifu ordered the respondents to “show cause in the next 72 hours from now why the order being sought by the Applicant in the Motion Exparte should not be granted as prayed.”
Family Alleges Ordeal Linked To ₦2m Transfer
Family sources linked the cleric’s detention to a ₦2 million gift allegedly transferred into his account by one of his followers, who was later implicated in the recent coup allegations.
The cleric was reportedly last seen over 25 days ago after travelling to Abuja to resolve issues surrounding the alleged freezing of his bank account.
According to Sahara Reporters, his wife, Hajiya Ramatu Khalifa Sani Abdulkadir, lamented that she had not heard from him since.
“From that day up till now I have not heard his voice again. Whenever I call his line, it is switched off. Today makes it 25 days since I last heard from him,” she said, describing her current state as distressing.
“I am alone at home with the children. I am under serious tension. I feel dizzy, and I cannot sleep. I try to be strong so that the children will not panic, but we are extremely worried,” she added.
The cleric’s son, Sunusi Khalifa Sani Abdulkadir, disclosed that the family was initially informed his father was being investigated over a ₦2 million transfer.
“After questioning the sheikh, they said there was the sum of ₦2m that had been sent to him, which they were investigating,” he said.
According to him, officials later described the matter as a “military case.”
“They also said my father had agreed to return the money. The soldiers said they would come and question him, and since that day, for 25 days now, we have not seen him,” he added.
The family denied circulating claims that the cleric was arrested for receiving funds to pray for individuals allegedly plotting a coup.
“We don’t know anything about that because nobody informed us, and the authorities have not said anything like that to us,” Sunusi maintained.