In a developing story that has captured national attention, Malam Sani Khalifa, a prominent Islamic cleric based in Zaria, has been detained by security agents for 23 days over alleged connections to a coup plot against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration. The cleric was reportedly arrested in Abuja shortly after he arrived to address issues surrounding his frozen bank account.
According to sources, the controversy centers around a ₦2 million transaction allegedly sent to Khalifa by a soldier linked to the purported coup attempt. However, Khalifa’s family has vehemently denied any wrongdoing, asserting that the funds were intended as a charitable offering for prayers, rather than any form of political engagement.
This incident comes amid heightened tensions regarding alleged coup activities within the military. The federal government had previously dismissed claims of an impending coup, despite reports of several senior military officers being arrested last year, an event that even led to the cancellation of Nigeria’s Independence Day parade on October 1.
While internal investigations are said to have cleared Khalifa of any wrongdoing, he remains in detention without formal charges being brought against him. Legal experts and human rights advocates are voicing concerns over the lack of due process, questioning the legality of his continued detention under Nigerian law.
As calls for transparency and accountability grow louder, the implications of this case on civil liberties and human rights in Nigeria remain to be seen. The federal government faces increasing scrutiny as it navigates these sensitive allegations against a backdrop of political unrest.
The Beacon Nigeria will continue to monitor this situation closely, reporting any new developments as they unfold.
