Atiku Abubakar urges immediate release or prosecution of Kaduna cleric Sheikh Sani Khalifa Zaria over alleged coup plot

Former Vice President of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar, has called for the immediate release or prosecution of Kaduna-based cleric Sheikh Sani Khalifa Zaria, citing prolonged detention without trial as a violation of constitutional rights. The statement was issued on Wednesday through Atiku’s media office in Abuja.

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Sheikh Khalifa has been held since December 2025 over allegations of involvement in a coup plot against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, but authorities have yet to formally charge him in court.

Atiku warned that this prolonged detention without due process constitutes a direct challenge to the rule of law and judicial authority.

“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,” Atiku said, stressing that denying the cleric access to legal counsel, family, and adequate medical care further violates fundamental rights.

Atiku also raised concerns over a Federal High Court order directing the cleric to be produced in court, which he alleged had not been respected.

He argued that continued silence from authorities has fostered public speculation, uncertainty, and mistrust among citizens.

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The former vice president insisted that security agencies must either release Sheikh Khalifa immediately or charge him before a competent court, warning that any other action amounts to unlawful detention and abuse of power.