A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) to produce an Islamic cleric, Sheikh Sani Abdulkadir Zaria, before it on February 18 over allegations linking him to a coup plot against the government of Bola Tinubu.

Justice Peter Lifu issued the directive on Friday, stressing that all security and government institutions remain subordinate to civilian authority under Nigeria’s democratic system.

The judge declared that “all authorities were subordinated under the civil authority as we are in a civilian rule,” adding that the constitutional rights of citizens must not be compromised.

He held that the provisions of Section 36(1), (5) and (6) of the 1999 Constitution guarantee fair hearing and apply to the cleric as well as “for all citizens.”

Justice Lifu further noted that Nigeria, being a signatory to various international human rights conventions, could not afford to fall short on issues relating to fundamental rights.

The order followed a fundamental rights enforcement suit filed by Zaria’s legal team, Sunusi Musa (SAN), Abdul Aliyu (SAN) and Mohammed Sheriff, against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the DIA, the Attorney General of the Federation and Jaiz Bank Plc.

The lawyers are seeking his release from detention and challenging the legality of his continued custody.

Gkingmusik understands that on Thursday, the court had directed the DIA to either produce the cleric or show the legal authority backing his detention.

During proceedings, counsel to the DIA, I.O. Odom, whose submission was adopted by EFCC counsel M.C. Odimbaiwe, told the court that the applicant was being held on behalf of the Defence Headquarters.

He added that the agency’s provost marshal informed him that the chairman of the Special Investigation Panel handling the case had travelled out of the country.

After hours of proceedings, the court fixed the matter for ruling.

The court noted that since December 11, 2025, the cleric had been kept in what authorities described as “safe custody,” without access to his family or associates, following the opening of an investigation on security grounds.

Family sources, however, linked his ordeal to a ₦2 million gift allegedly wired into the bank account of a detained leader of the Fityanul Islam Tijanniyya sect by one of his followers, who was indicted in the recent coup allegation.

The court is expected to take further steps in the matter when the DIA produces the cleric or provides legal justification for his continued detention on February 18.