Federal High Court in Abuja has directed the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) to produce Sani Zaria, a well-known Islamic cleric from Kaduna, in court on February 18 in connection with allegations that he was involved in a coup plot targeting President Bola Tinubu’s government.
Gatekeepers News reports that the order was issued during a hearing in a fundamental rights enforcement suit filed by the cleric, who has been in detention since December 2025. Sani Zaria was initially taken into custody by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) before being transferred to the DIA.
In January, the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) confirmed the arrest of 16 military officers in the first week of the month over a suspected coup attempt against the Tinubu administration. Sani Zaria’s detention is reportedly linked to this broader security operation, though the specifics of his alleged involvement remain under investigation.
The cleric’s suit names the EFCC, DIA, the Attorney-General of the Federation, and Jaiz Bank Plc as respondents. In his petition, he argued that his continued detention is unlawful and lacks a proper legal basis. During Friday’s proceedings, the government failed to present a valid court order authorizing his detention, drawing sharp criticism from the bench.
Presiding Judge Peter Lifu emphasised that prolonged detention without proper legal justification violates fundamental rights and ordered the DIA to either produce a legitimate detention order or explain the custody under the relevant provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act. The judge’s directive also paves the way for consideration of bail for the cleric pending further hearings.
The upcoming February 18 hearing is expected to clarify the legal basis for Sani Zaria’s detention and may determine whether he will be released on bail while investigations continue. Meanwhile, the case remains under close observation due to its potential implications for national security and civil liberties.
