THE Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the unconditional release of Sheikh Sani Abdulkadir Zaria and awarded him a total sum of N5 million as damages for the violation of his fundamental human rights by security agencies and a commercial bank.
News Point Nigeria reports that in a judgment delivered on Monday, Justice Peter O. Lifu held that the prolonged detention of the cleric without a valid court order amounted to a breach of his rights to dignity of the human person, personal liberty, fair hearing, and freedom of movement, as guaranteed under the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
According to a certified true copy of the judgment sighted by Daily Trust, the suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/55/2026, was filed pursuant to the Fundamental Rights (Enforcement Procedure) Rules 2009 by Sheikh Zaria against five respondents—the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA), the Attorney-General of the Federation, Jaiz Bank Plc, and the State Security Service (SSS).
Justice Lifu directed the third respondent, the Attorney-General of the Federation, in his capacity as Chief Law Officer, to ensure full compliance with the court’s orders.
The court specifically ordered the immediate and unconditional release of the applicant.
It also declared the restriction placed on the cleric’s account with Jaiz Bank without a court order as unlawful and a violation of his fundamental rights.
The judge awarded N1 million each against the EFCC and Jaiz Bank Plc for the unlawful restriction placed on the account.
In addition, he granted N4 million jointly and severally against the DIA and the SSS for what he described as the gross violation of the applicant’s fundamental rights.
Furthermore, the second and fifth respondents were ordered to publish a written apology to the applicant in line with Section 35(6) of the Constitution.
The fourth respondent, Jaiz Bank Plc, was also directed to lift the restriction on the account with immediate effect.
During the proceedings, counsel to the applicant, led by Sunusi Musa, SAN, appeared alongside a legal team that included A.M. Mohammed, Bala Umar, P.A. Adewuyi, and others. Counsel to the first respondent was O.O. Adeola Esq., while A.S. Gobir Esq. represented Jaiz Bank Plc.
The second and third respondents were absent and unrepresented in court, while Yemi Akinseye-George, SAN, and others appeared for a party seeking to be joined in the matter.
The case arose from the cleric’s detention since late 2025 after he travelled to Abuja to address issues relating to the freezing of his bank account over an alleged N2 million transaction linked to investigations involving a coup plot suspect.
His family had earlier raised concerns over his whereabouts, while previous court sittings in February and March 2026 saw attempts by the government to produce a valid detention order.
The Attorney-General of the Federation has now been mandated to ensure full compliance with the court’s directives.