Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the immediate and unconditional release of a top Islamic scholar, Sheikh Sani Abdulladir Zaria, from the custody of the Defence Intelligence Agency, DIA, and the Department of the State Services, DSS.
DIA and DSS detained Zaria, after his arrest in connection with the alleged plot to overthrow President Bola Tinubu
In a judgment on Monday, presiding judge slapped a fine of N2 million each on DIA and DSS, to be paid to the cleric, for contravening sections 35 and 36 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, in the way and manner the 75-year-old cleric was bundled into detention for over two months without trial.
Delivering judgment in a fundamental rights suit filed against DIA and others by the detained Islamic cleric,
Justice Lifu ordered the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, and Jaiz Bank to pay N1 million each as compensation to the plaintiff for freezing his bank account without order of any law court.
Also, the Federal High Court directed the DIA and DSS to tender public apology to the islamic scholar for the breach of his fundamental rights.
Sheikh Sani Abdulladir Zaria was hauled into detention without order of court for allegedly associating with one of those involved in the alleged coup plot against President Tinubu.
Justice Lifu tongue-lashed the DIA for its refusal to subordinate itself to civil rule and rule of law by refusing to produce the detained man in court when ordered to do so.
The judge stated that as an agency founded by law, the DIA should not put itself above the law of the country in the discharge of its statutory functions.
Justice Lifu ordered the Attorney General of the Federation, AGF, to ensure immediate compliance with the judgment.
