A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the release of Bashir Hadejia, a politician and businessman, who was allegedly detained on accusations of terrorism.
In a ruling delivered on Tuesday, Justice Emeka Nwite deemed the raid on Hadejia’s residence, his subsequent warrantless arrest, and detention as illegal, constituting a violation of his fundamental human rights.
Naijaonpoint gathered that the judge mandated Hadejia’s unconditional release and issued a perpetual injunction barring the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, and his agents from further unlawful arrests or detentions involving Hadejia.
Additionally, the court imposed a ₦10 million fine on the IGP for the violation of Hadejia’s rights.
Hadejia was arrested in August 2024 by the Force Intelligence Department’s Intelligence Response Team (FID-IRT) over allegations of “treason and subversion against the state.”
Previously, Hadejia served as a special adviser on special duties to Bello Matawalle, the former governor of Zamfara State.
Through an originating motion marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1235/2024, Hadejia’s lawyer, Mahmud Magaji, sued the IGP, Matawalle, the Department of State Services (DSS), the Chief of Naval Staff, the Chief of Defence Intelligence, the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA), and the Chief of Defence Staff, claiming nine reliefs. These included a declaration that Hadejia’s arrest and detention were politically motivated, unconstitutional, and an infringement on his rights. Hadejia also sought ₦500 million in damages.
According to an affidavit filed by his younger brother, Abubakar, Hadejia, a businessman and former adviser to Matawalle, currently serves as a technical adviser to Dauda Lawal, the current Zamfara governor. However, Governor Lawal refuted this claim.
Abubakar alleged that the arrest was politically motivated, stemming from a fallout between Hadejia and Matawalle following Matawalle’s unsuccessful reelection bid in 2023.
Abubakar accused Matawalle of orchestrating Hadejia’s detention to damage his reputation.
He further detailed how Hadejia’s home was raided without a warrant and no inventory was provided for items seized. Efforts to secure administrative bail were also denied by the FID-IRT.
In their counter-affidavits, Matawalle and the other respondents, except the IGP, denied the allegations, dismissing them as baseless.
They argued that Hadejia failed to provide substantive evidence to support his claims and urged the court to dismiss the case.
Justice Omotosho found no direct evidence linking Matawalle to the arrest or detention. However, the court held that the IGP failed to challenge the claims against him, and under legal principles, unchallenged evidence is considered valid.
Omotosho emphasized that while security agencies have the mandate to investigate and prosecute, they must adhere to due process and respect human rights.