Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has called for the immediate release or prosecution of Kaduna-based cleric, Sheikh Sani Khalifa Zaria, describing his continued detention without trial as a violation of fundamental rights.
Atiku made the call in a statement issued on Wednesday through his media office, where he expressed concern over the cleric’s prolonged detention since December 2025.
According to the statement, Sheikh Khalifa was arrested over allegations of involvement in a coup plot against the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu but has not been formally charged before any court.
Atiku argued that the continued detention of the cleric without due process raises serious constitutional and human rights concerns.
The former vice president also alleged that a subsisting order of the Federal High Court directing authorities to produce the cleric in court had not been obeyed.
He described the development as a direct challenge to the rule of law and judicial authority.
“There can be no democracy without strict adherence to the rule of law. No security agency is above the Constitution, and none has the power to treat the rights of citizens as privileges to be dispensed with at will,” the statement read.
Atiku further warned that holding the cleric without access to his family, legal counsel and adequate medical care amounts to a violation of his constitutional rights.
He cautioned that allowing such practices by security agencies could undermine Nigeria’s democratic foundations.
The former vice president also expressed concern about growing public speculation surrounding the cleric’s condition, noting that the silence of authorities had deepened uncertainty and mistrust among citizens.
“Nigeria cannot continue to claim the status of a democracy while the rights of its citizens are routinely and brazenly violated,” he stated.
Atiku urged security agencies to either release Sheikh Sani Khalifa immediately or charge him before a competent court without further delay.
He insisted that any action short of this would amount to unlawful detention and abuse of power.
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