A Federal High Court in Abuja has commanded the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) to bring an Islamic cleric, Sheikh Sani Abdulkadir Zaria, to court on February 18.
The Sheikh is being held over claims that he was involved in a plot to overthrow the government of President Bola Tinubu.
Justice Peter Lifu made it clear that even the military must obey civilian laws. He stated that every Nigerian has the right to a fair hearing under the Constitution.
The Sheikh has been in "safe custody" since December 2025. His family claims his trouble started because of a ₦2 million bank transfer related to a religious leader, which authorities linked to the alleged coup.
The DIA tried to argue that the head of the investigation panel was out of the country, but the judge insisted the cleric must be produced to protect his fundamental rights.
