A prominent Zaria-based Islamic scholar, Sani Khalifa, has reportedly been in detention for 23 days over an alleged link to a purported coup plot against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, multiple sources familiar with the matter have disclosed.
Khalifa was reportedly arrested by security operatives in Abuja shortly after travelling from Zaria to resolve an unexplained freeze placed on his bank account. His continued detention comes despite repeated public denials by the Federal Government that any coup plot against the Tinubu administration existed.
Sources told Premium Times that Khalifa’s ordeal began when his bank account was suddenly blocked without written notice or explanation. After failing to resolve the issue at the bank’s Zaria branch, officials directed him to the institution’s headquarters in Abuja. Upon his arrival in the capital, security agents reportedly detained him and placed him in custody.
According to people briefed on the interrogation, Khalifa’s detention is connected to a two million naira transfer made into his account by one of the military officers accused of plotting the alleged coup. Family members and associates, however, insisted that the cleric had no personal relationship with the officer.
A family source explained that the transfer was facilitated indirectly through one of Khalifa’s disciples who knew the officer. “The only contact was a brief phone greeting,” the source said. “The soldier later requested the Sheikh’s account number through the disciple and sent money for prayers and blessings, as many people do with religious scholars. There was no political discussion, no agreement, and no plan to harm the government.”
Premium Times previously reported that senior military officers were arrested in batches from late September over an alleged plan to violently overthrow the government. Sources said that as a precautionary measure, the Presidency canceled the October 1 Independence Day parade. The alleged coup was reportedly planned for October 27, by which time more than sixteen officers had been arrested.
The suspects, led by a brigadier general, Musa Sadiq, reportedly included fourteen Nigerian Army officers, one naval officer, and one Nigerian Air Force officer. Investigations also involved a raid on the residence of former Bayelsa State governor Timipre Sylva, though he denied any involvement in the alleged plot.
A student of the detained cleric told Premium Times that authorities had reportedly admitted internally that Khalifa’s name does not appear on any formal list of suspects and that he has been cleared of wrongdoing. “But he remains in custody,” the source added, raising concerns about the legality of his continued detention.
Under Nigeria’s Constitution, suspects are required to be informed promptly of the reasons for their arrest and to be arraigned before a court within a reasonable time. International human rights law also prohibits prolonged incommunicado detention. The prolonged confinement of Khalifa has drawn criticism from legal experts and civil society groups, who insist that the situation violates both domestic and international legal standards.
As of press time, the Federal Government had not officially acknowledged Khalifa’s arrest or provided an explanation for the legal basis of his continued detention. The case has sparked discussions about due process, accountability, and the balance between national security and individual rights. Observers have warned that failing to address the situation transparently could set a worrying precedent for civil liberties in Nigeria.
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