Atiku Abubakar Demands Release of Kaduna Cleric Khalifa

Atiku Abubakar, the former Nigerian Vice President and chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has called for the immediate release or prosecution of Sheikh Sani Khalifa, a cleric based in Kaduna. Khalifa has reportedly been detained since December 2025, allegedly for involvement in a coup plot, yet no formal charges have been filed against him.

In a statement released by his media office in Abuja, Abubakar condemned the prolonged detention without trial, describing it as a grave violation of fundamental rights. He emphasized that such actions raise serious constitutional and human rights concerns.

Abubakar also noted that the Federal High Court had ordered Khalifa's presentation in court, which has been ignored, characterizing this as a direct affront to the rule of law. He warned that continued detention without access to family, legal counsel, or adequate medical care constitutes a gross violation of constitutional rights and poses a significant threat to Nigeria's democratic foundations.