The Nigerian government has been accused of secretly detaining a prominent Islamic scholar in Zaria, Kaduna State, Sheikh Sani Khalifa, raising serious concerns over alleged human rights abuses and violations of due process.
Multiple sources told standarddailypress on Saturday that Sheikh Khalifa has been held in custody for the past 23 days without being formally charged or informed of any offence. His family and associates reportedly do not know his current whereabouts, while he has allegedly been denied access to legal representation and communication with relatives — actions said to contravene Nigeria’s constitution and international human rights standards.
A source familiar with the matter disclosed that the cleric’s ordeal began when his bank account was abruptly frozen without any written notice or court order.
“When his bank branch in Zaria was contacted, officials said the account could only be reactivated at the bank’s headquarters in Abuja,” the source said.
The cleric reportedly travelled to Abuja to resolve the issue but was intercepted by security operatives upon arrival and taken into custody.
According to the source, Sheikh Khalifa was accused of having links to a soldier allegedly involved in a coup attempt, based on claims that the soldier once transferred ₦2 million into his bank account.
However, another source strongly denied any criminal, political, or personal relationship between the cleric and the soldier.
“Sheikh Sani Khalifa has no business or personal ties with that soldier,” the source said. “One of the Sheikh’s students simply knew the soldier and once introduced them over the phone. They only exchanged greetings.”
The source further explained that the soldier later obtained the cleric’s account number through the student and sent ₦2 million, requesting prayers and blessings — a practice described as common among religious followers seeking spiritual support from clerics.
“There was no political discussion, no criminal intention, nothing beyond prayers,” the source added. “Now it is being suggested that anyone who ever had any transaction with that soldier is being tracked and arrested.”
As of the time of filing this report, security agencies had neither confirmed Sheikh Sani Khalifa’s detention nor disclosed any charges against him.
Family members and associates are reportedly calling for his immediate release or, at the very least, for him to be charged in court in line with due process.
On October 30, 2025, standarddailypress reported that senior sources within the Nigerian military revealed the identities and departments of 16 senior military officers being detained by the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) over an alleged plot to overthrow the administration of President Bola Tinubu.
