Atiku Demands Release or Prosecution of Detained Cleric Sheikh Sani Khalifa

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 human rights.

Sheikh Khalifa has reportedly been in custody since December 2025 over allegations of involvement in a coup plot but has yet to be formally charged before any court of law, raising concerns over due process and constitutional compliance.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, Atiku condemned the situation, noting that even an existing order of the Federal High Court directing that the cleric be presented in court has allegedly been ignored. He described this as a direct affront 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,” the statement read.

He further decried the reported denial of access to family members, legal counsel, and adequate medical care, warning that such treatment amounts to a gross violation of constitutional rights.

Atiku cautioned that allowing such actions to persist could undermine Nigeria’s democratic foundations and erode public trust in state institutions. He also expressed concern over growing public speculation about the cleric’s condition, attributing it to the silence of authorities.

“Nigeria cannot continue to claim democratic status while the rights of its citizens are routinely violated,” he added.

The former vice president therefore urged relevant security agencies to either release Sheikh Khalifa immediately or charge him before a competent court without further delay, insisting that anything short of this constitutes unlawful detention and an abuse of power.