The continued detention of a Zaria-based Islamic cleric, Sani Khalifa, over an alleged link to a purported coup plot against Pre...
The continued detention of a Zaria-based Islamic cleric, Sani Khalifa, over an alleged link to a purported coup plot against President Bola Tinubu has triggered public debate, with social commentators and rights advocates raising concerns over due process and executive overreach.
The cleric was reportedly arrested in Abuja over three weeks ago by security operatives in connection with investigations into alleged plans by some military officers to destabilise the Tinubu administration.
Sources said his arrest followed a financial transaction of about ₦2 million, allegedly traced to his bank account from one of the officers under investigation.
While security agencies have remained largely silent on the matter, associates of the cleric insisted the money was a religious gift for prayers, describing the development as a case of guilt by association.
Reacting to the detention, a Zaria-based public affairs analyst, Abu Hamdani, said the situation raises troubling questions.
“You cannot continue to detain a civilian indefinitely on the basis of suspicion alone. If there is evidence, charge him to court. If not, release him. That is what the Constitution demands,” he said.
Similarly, human rights lawyer, Nababa Umar, described the silence of authorities as “disturbing.”
“The government cannot deny the existence of a coup plot and at the same time detain people over alleged links to that same plot. That contradiction undermines public confidence in the rule of law,” he noted.
On social media, commentators expressed mixed reactions.
While some Nigerians urged security agencies to be thorough in protecting democracy, others warned against what they described as the shrinking of civic space.
A Kaduna-based civil society activist, Aisha Lawal, cautioned against profiling clerics.
“Religious leaders often receive donations for prayers. Criminalising that without clear evidence sets a dangerous precedent and risks alienating communities,” she said.
The Federal Government has previously denied reports of a coup plot, while the Defence Headquarters had earlier described the detention of some military officers as internal disciplinary issues rather than an attempt to overthrow the
“National security is important, but democracy survives on accountability. When detentions are shrouded in secrecy, citizens naturally become suspicious,” he said.
As of the time of filing this report, security agencies had yet to officially confirm the cleric’s detention or announce any formal charges against him, amid growing calls for either his arraignment in court or immediate release in line with constitutional provisions.
No comments