The detained Islamic cleric, Sheikh Sani Abdulkadir Zaria, has been transferred by the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) to the Department of State Services (DSS).
The cleric is being accused of involvement in an alleged coup plot against President Bola Tinubu’s government.
Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja has directed the DIA to produce the cleric on February 18 to determine his bail application.
When the case resumed on Wednesday, counsel to the cleric, Mohammed Sheriff, told the court of the development following DIA’s failure to produce his client in court.
However, a personnel of the court staff said Justice Lifu was attending the inauguration of 14 new judges of the Federal High Court at the Supreme Court on the same day.
Sheikh Abdulkadir had sough the fundamental enforcement of his rights against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the DIA, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, and Jaiz Bank Plc demanding to be released from detention.
It was learnt that the cleric’s ordeal was reportedly connected to a N2 million gift transferred to his bank account by one of his adherents also indicted in the recent coup allegation.
