A prominent Zaria-based Islamic scholar, Sani Khalifa, has 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.
The cleric 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.
According to Premium Times, sources said Khalifa’s ordeal began when his bank account was suddenly blocked without written notice.
After failing to resolve the issue at the bank’s Zaria branch, officials allegedly directed him to the institution’s headquarters in Abuja.
It was upon his arrival in the capital, sources said, that security agents picked him up and placed him in custody.
According to people briefed on the interrogation, Mr Khalifa’s detention is linked to a ₦2 million transfer made into his account by one of the military officers accused of plotting the coup.
Family members and associates, however, insisted the cleric had no personal relationship with the soldier.
A family source said the transfer was facilitated indirectly through one of Mr 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.”
Premium Times had earlier reported how senior military officers were arrested in batches from late September over an alleged plan to violently overthrow the government.
Sources familiar with the matter said the Presidency cancelled the October 1 Independence Day parade as a precautionary measure.
The alleged coup was reportedly planned for October 27, by which time more than 16 officers had been arrested.
The suspects, led by a brigadier-general, Musa Sadiq, included 14 Nigerian Army officers, one naval officer and one Nigerian Air Force officer.
The residence of former Bayelsa State governor Timipre Sylva was also raided during investigations, though he denied any involvement.
A student of the detained cleric told the aforementioned platform 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 said.
Under Nigeria’s Constitution, suspects are required to be informed promptly of the reasons for their arrest and arraigned before a court within a reasonable time.
International human rights law also prohibits prolonged incommunicado detention.
As of press time, the Federal Government had not officially acknowledged Mr Khalifa’s arrest or explained the legal basis for his continued detention.