Alleged coup plot: DSS moves detained Islamic cleric, Zaria to court for trial
Islamic Scholar Charged with Coup Conspiracy Appears in Court
Abuja — Sheik Abdukadir Sani Zaria, an Islamic scholar detained by the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) in connection with an alleged coup plot against President Bola Tinubu, has been brought to the Federal High Court for prosecution.
Sani, who has been in custody since December 2025, arrived at the courthouse accompanied by security personnel and associates. He is among six individuals named in a charge sheet formally filed by the Federal Government and is scheduled for arraignment.
The Office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice will prosecute Sani alongside five military officers accused of conspiring to wage war against the Nigerian government. He faces multiple charges, including counts of conspiracy to commit felonies, specifically related to efforts to undermine the government, concealing information about the coup attempt, and providing support to the alleged plotters.
In a notable charge, Sani is accused of retaining 2 million Naira in a bank account linked to the alleged coup leader, Colonel Mohammed Alhassan Ma’aji. This transaction is believed to violate the Money Laundering Prevention and Prohibition Act of 2022.
Recently, Justice Peter Odo Lifu ordered the immediate release of the Islamic scholar from DIA and DSS custody, imposing a fine on both agencies for unconstitutional detention lasting over four months. The judge’s decision followed a fundamental rights suit filed by Sani, in which he claimed his rights had been violated.
Additionally, the court directed the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and Jaiz Bank to compensate Sani for freezing his bank account without legal authority. Both the DIA and DSS were also ordered to issue a public apology for their actions.
Justice Lifu criticized the DIA for failing to uphold civil authority by not producing Sani in court as required. He emphasized that the agency must comply with the rule of law and ensure that citizens’ rights are protected in line with the Nigerian Constitution and international human rights obligations.
Since his detention began, Sani has maintained his innocence, asserting that the money in question was transferred by a disciple rather than implicating him in the alleged conspiracy.
