Court Adjourns as Gov't Fails to Present Detention Order

The Nigerian government was unable to produce a court order authorizing the continued detention of Sheikh Islam, a cleric accused of involvement in an alleged coup plot against President Bola Tinubu's administration. Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja directed the defense intelligence agency to present the purported detention order obtained under the Administration of Criminal Justice Act.

Counsel O Odom had earlier assured the court that the document would be produced during the hearing of the fundamental rights enforcement suit filed by the cleric's lawyer, Sunusi Musa SAN, against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Attorney General of the Federation, and Jaiz Bank PLC. When the matter was called, Odom failed to present the alleged court order, prompting Justice Lifu to adjourn proceedings until 11:00 AM.

The cleric's detention is linked to a reported N2 million transfer to his account, allegedly related to a coup plot. His family expressed distress over his situation, with his wife and son disclosing that they had not heard from him since his detention.