Delivering judgment, Justice Peter Lifu held that the cleric’s detention by the Defence Intelligence Agency and the Department of State Services violated his fundamental rights as guaranteed by the Constitution.

The court ruled that the 75-year-old scholar was unlawfully held for over two months without trial, in breach of Sections 35 and 36 of the 1999 Constitution, which guarantee personal liberty and fair hearing.

Justice Lifu also imposed a ₦2 million fine on the Defence Intelligence Agency and the DSS, to be paid to the cleric as compensation for the unlawful detention.

In addition, the court ordered the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and Jaiz Bank to each pay ₦1 million for freezing his bank account without a valid court order.

The judge further directed the security agencies involved to issue a public apology to the cleric for the violation of his rights, stressing that all institutions must operate strictly within the limits of the law.

The court criticised the Defence Intelligence Agency for failing to comply with earlier judicial directives, including its refusal to present the detainee in court when required.

Zaria was arrested in December 2025 over allegations of involvement in a plot to overthrow President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Security agencies alleged he received ₦2 million from a suspect linked to the alleged plot, though he later agreed to forfeit the money.

However, the cleric denied any wrongdoing, insisting that the funds came from a follower and had no connection to any illegal activity.

The court also directed the Attorney General of the Federation to ensure full compliance with its ruling, warning that Nigeria, as a signatory to international human rights agreements, must avoid actions that amount to unlawful detention or victimisation.

In a statement he personally signed on Monday in Kano, Kwankwaso dismissed recent criticisms directed at the Tinubu administration, insisting that opposition narratives and what he described as coordinated propaganda efforts would not weaken the President’s growing acceptance in the region.

He argued that similar political strategies were previously deployed during the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan, particularly around issues such as insecurity and ethnic sentiment during election periods.

Kwankwaso maintained that many of the challenges facing the North are long-standing and not new, adding that successive governments have struggled to fully resolve them over the years.

According to him, even past northern leaders who spent many years in power were unable to address the region’s problems as effectively as the current administration claims to be doing.

While acknowledging the security challenges experienced in the North-West, especially during the tenure of former President Muhammadu Buhari, he insisted that ongoing efforts by the current government are beginning to yield positive results.

He further stated that major federal projects currently ongoing across the northern region, particularly in rail and road infrastructure, reflect the administration’s commitment to development and would likely translate into strong political support in the 2027 elections.