Court Orders Immediate Release of Sheikh Sani Zaria, Awards N6 Million Damages Against EFCC, DSS
By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini
The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has ordered the unconditional release of Sheikh Sani Abdulkadir Zaria, a prominent Islamic cleric, whose detention and bank account restriction were declared a gross violation of his fundamental human rights.
Delivering judgment on Monday, April 20, 2026, in suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/55/2026, Justice Peter O. Lifu held that the actions of the security agencies contravened several provisions of the 1999 Constitution and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
The court ordered the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) and the State Security Service (SSS) – the 2nd and 5th respondents – to pay the sum of N4 million jointly and severally to the applicant for the “gross violation of his fundamental human rights.”
Justice Lifu further directed both agencies to issue a written apology to the cleric through publication, in accordance with Section 35(6) of the Constitution.
The court also declared as “unlawful” the restriction placed on the applicant’s bank account – number 0005620270 domiciled with Jaiz Bank Plc – by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the bank itself, noting that the action was taken without a court order.
Consequently, the court ordered Jaiz Bank to lift the restriction on the account forthwith. Each of the two respondents (EFCC and Jaiz Bank) was ordered to pay N1 million to the applicant.
The Attorney-General of the Federation, the 3rd respondent, was mandated by the court to ensure full compliance with the judgment.
The applicant was represented by a team of lawyers led by Sunusi Musa, SAN, while the EFCC was represented by O.O. Adeola, Esq. Jaiz Bank had A.S. Gobir, Esq., as its counsel. The 2nd and 3rd respondents were absent and unrepresented.
The party seeking to be joined was represented by Prof. Yemi Akinyeye George, SAN, and A.T. Kehinde, SAN.
The judgment, signed by Justice Lifu and certified true copy issued by Registrar Olagunju Toshi, takes immediate effect.