From Abdullahi Alhassan, Kaduna
The Tijjaniyya Grassroot Mobilization and Empowerment Initiative of Nigeria (TIGMEIN) and Concerned Citizens of Kaduna State have demanded the immediate and unconditional release of Islamic scholar, Sheikh Sani Khalifa Zaria, warning that failure to comply could lead to the withdrawal of support of over seven million members for the Federal Government and the ruling party.
Speaking at a press conference in Kaduna, the State Coordinator of TIGMEIN, Sayyadi Nasiru Sheikh Bello, said Sheikh Sani has been held in custody for several months without clear charges, fair trial, or justification, contrary to Sections 35 and 36 of the 1999 Constitution, which guarantee personal liberty and fair hearing.
The groups cited a ruling by the Federal High Court in Abuja, which declared the scholar’s continued detention unlawful and ordered his immediate release.
“The court also awarded N8 million in damages for the unlawful restriction of his bank accounts and prolonged detention, describing it as a judicial rebuke of the actions of security agencies and the Federal Government.
“Instead of complying, the Federal Government delayed full compliance and later initiated fresh charges against Sheikh Sani, effectively re-arresting him after a judge had declared his detention unlawful,” the group said.
The group described the pattern of detention without trial, followed by a court order for release, compensation, and subsequent fresh charges, as “a clear act of injustice and abuse of legal process.”
TIGMEIN and the Concerned Citizens listed five demands: immediate compliance with the court order for unconditional release; a halt to any attempt to re-arrest or re-charge the scholar in a manner that circumvents the judgment; public disclosure of the basis for the new charges; payment of the full N8 million damages awarded; and accountability for the prolonged detention without trial.
The groups appealed to the judiciary to remain vigilant against executive overreach and urged civil society organisations, the media, and Nigerians of conscience to monitor the case and resist any attempt to turn a judicial victory into a political vendetta.
They stated that they remain committed to peaceful advocacy and the rule of law but warned that if their demands are not met, they would withdraw support for the government and mobilise others to do the same.
“Democracy cannot stand on the foundation of selective justice and the harassment of religious leaders exercising their constitutional rights,” Bello said.