The Tijjaniya Sufi Order has urged its millions of followers in Nigeria to refrain from making statements that would be counter-productive to the ongoing court case involving Sheikh Abdulkadir Sani Khalifa Zaria.
A statement released on Sunday and signed by the National Vice Chairman of the Tijjaniya Shura Council of Nigeria, Sheikh Ibrahim Shehu Maihula, urged Tijjaniya followers to be steadfast in their prayers for the ultimate victory of the cleric.
Sheikh Khalifa was arrested five months ago, and arraigned last week for alleged coup plot against President Bola Tinubu administration.
He pleaded not guilty to the 13-count charge leveled against him before a Federal High Court Abuja.
The Tijjaniya order assured that Sheikh Khalifa would be discharged and acquitted by the court, just like an earlier court ordered his immediate and unconditional release from detention.
The statement reads as follows:
ON THE DETENTION AND PROSECUTION OF SHEIKH ABDULKADIR SANI KHALIFA ZARIA
“We are writing on behalf of the Tijjaniya Sufi Order, the most prominent and largest Islamic group in Nigeria and West Africa, with a follower-ship of about 60 million Muslims in Nigeria. The Tijjaniya order is known for being peaceful and committed to justice and rule of law, focusing on Islamic scholarship, spiritual empowerment, divine love, and personal spiritual experience.
“We are, however, compelled to issue this press statement on the unfolding development surrounding one of our revered leaders, Sheikh Abdulkadir Sani Khalifa Zaria, who has been in detention for nearly five months.
“It is a known fact that Sheikh Abdulkadir Sani Khalifa Zaria is a respected Islamic scholar, and prominent figure within the Tijjaniyya Order. He is also well known for his peaceful teachings, spiritual guidance, and consistent advocacy for discipline, and lawful conduct in our society.
“On the November 30, 2025, Sheikh Abdulkadir Sani Khalifa Zaria went to the Ja’iz Bank in Zaria, Kaduna State, to make some transactions on his personal account. He was told the account was placed on Post No Debit (PND), and he was advised to go to the Abuja Headquarters of the bank to sort out the issue.
“On the December 11, 2025, as par the advice of the Jaiz Bank branch in Zaria, the Islamic scholar went to the Jaiz Bank headquarters in Abuja over the matter. On getting to the bank headquarters, Sheikh Abdulkadir Sani Khalifa Zaria was arrested and taken to an unknown location by some unknown armed people — who were later revealed to be personnel from the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA).
“This development created anxiety among his immediate family members, and the Tijjaniya Sufi Order followers in Nigeria and beyond. For nearly four months, the revered cleric was held incommunicado, with no access to his family members, legal representation nor personal physician — fueling speculations about his failing health and general wellbeing. Until on the March 25, 2026, when he was allowed to be visited by his legal team and one of the Islamic scholars after his transfer to DSS custody.
“To arrest the palpable situation into snowballing into a breach of law and order, a team of lawyers on the cleric’s behalf, filed a fundamental rights enforcement suit against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the DIA, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, and Jaiz Bank Plc, seeking his release from detention.
“On the April 20, 2026, the Federal High Court in Abuja, presided by Justice Peter Lifu, ordered the immediate and unconditional release of Sheikh Sani Abdulkadir Khalifa Zaria, while also declaring the restriction placed on his bank account illegal and awarding him N6 million in damages.
“The court held that the Islamic cleric’s fundamental human rights had been violated, citing breaches of Sections 35 and 36 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, as well as provisions of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
“The court directed the DSS to release Sheikh Abdulkadir Sani Khalifa Zaria forthwith, and also ordered Jaiz Bank to lift the restriction placed on the applicant’s bank account number without delay.
“The court further held that the action of the EFCC and Jaiz Bank in restricting the account without a court order was unlawful and amounted to a breach of the applicant’s fundamental human rights.
“On the April 21, 2026, the Federal Government filed a 13-count charge before the Federal High Court in Abuja against six individuals, including Sheikh Abdulkadir Sani Khalifa Zaria, over an alleged plot to wage war against Nigeria and commit acts of terrorism.
“On the April 22, 2026, the Federal Government arraigned Sheikh Abdulkadir Sani Khalifa Zaria, alongside five other suspects at the Federal High Court Abuja, presided by Justice Joyce Abdulmalik. The sheikh (suspect) pleaded not guilty to the charges and the case was adjourned to April 27, 2026 for the commencement of trial. Amazingly, Sheikh Abdulkadir Sani Khalifa Zaria told the court that he was meeting other suspects he is being charged with for the first time in his life in the courtroom.
“As law-abiding citizens, we have confidence on the Nigerian judiciary. The same manner the Federal High Court, Abuja ordered the immediate and unconditional release of the Islamic scholar, we have confidence and faith that Sheikh Abdulkadir Sani Khalifa Zaria would be discharged and acquitted by the court in the ongoing trial.
“We use this opportunity to call on all Tijjaniyya followers across Nigeria to remain patient, law-abiding, and engage in fervent and constant prayers for the victory of Sheikh Abdulkadir Sani Khalifa Zaria in the ongoing trial.
“Due to the sensitive nature of the ongoing litigation, we also urge the Tijjaniyya followers to refrain from making unguarded statements that may inflame passion and counter-productive to the ongoing legal proceedings in Abuja.
“We remain confident that Sheikh Abdulkadir Sani Khalifa Zaria is innocent, and justice will be served, and that the truth will prevail.
“We seize this opportunity to thank leaders of Tijjaniya at all levels, all Islamic organizations from various schools of thought and order, particularly the Supreme Council for Sharia in Nigeria (SCSN), the civil societies, human rights activists, concerned Christian clergies and Christian community, members of the press, international community, and the Sheikh’s legal team for their continued unwavering support at this challenging and trying moment of Sheikh Abdulkadir Sani Khalifa Zaria and his family, the Tijjaniya community and Muslims in general. May Allah (SWT) continue to guide, bless and protect all of us.”
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