A federal high court in Abuja has ordered the release of Bashir Hadejia, a politician and businessman, who was reportedly arrested for alleged terrorism.
In a judgment delivered on Tuesday, January 14, Justice Emeka Nwite described the invasion of Hadejia’s home, his arrest without a warrant, and his detention as unlawful and a breach of his fundamental human rights.
Nwite ordered that Hadejia be released unconditionally and issued a perpetual injunction restraining the inspector-general of police (IGP), his agents, or servants from further unlawful arrest and detention of Hadejia. The judge also awarded a N10 million fine against the IGP.
Hadejia was reportedly arrested by the Force Intelligence Department Intelligence Response Team (FID-IRT) over alleged “treason and subversion against the state” in August 2024.
He previously served as a special adviser on special duties to Bello Matawalle, the former governor of Zamfara State.
In the originating motion marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1235/2024, Hadejia, through his lawyer, Mahmud Magaji, sued the IGP, Matawalle, the Department of State Services (DSS), the Chief of Naval Staff, the Chief of Defence Intelligence, the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA), and the Chief of Defence Staff as respondents.
He sought nine reliefs, including a declaration that his alleged abduction, harassment, intimidation, unlawful arrest, and detention on August 12, 2024, due to political disagreements with Matawalle, were illegal and unconstitutional.
He also requested immediate and unconditional release and demanded N500 million in damages for the violation of his rights.
In an affidavit submitted by his younger brother, Abubakar, Hadejia was described as a businessman and former special adviser on special duties to Matawalle. Abubakar claimed that his brother’s arrest was politically motivated and linked to his fallout with Matawalle after the ex-governor’s failed reelection bid in 2023.
He also revealed that Hadejia currently serves as a technical adviser to the incumbent Zamfara governor, Dauda Lawal, a claim the governor denied.
Abubakar further alleged that Hadejia’s residence was raided without a search warrant and no inventory was made of the items reportedly recovered. When family members visited the IRT-FID office on August 16, 2024, they were informed that while Hadejia was in their custody, he was not under investigation, and their request for administrative bail was denied.
He accused Matawalle of orchestrating the detention with the help of other respondents to tarnish Hadejia’s reputation and harm his political and business standing.
In counter-affidavits, Matawalle and the other respondents, except the IGP, denied the allegations, calling them baseless and urging the court to dismiss the suit because Hadejia had not provided sufficient evidence.
Justice Omotosho, delivering the judgment, agreed with Matawalle’s defense, noting that Hadejia failed to provide concrete proof linking his detention to a political fallout with Matawalle. The judge also found no evidence that Hadejia was ever held in DSS custody.
However, the court held the IGP accountable as the evidence presented against him went unchallenged.
Omotosho noted that unchallenged evidence in court is considered factual. “It is worthy of note that the 1st respondent did not file any process despite being served with the hearing notices and all the court documents,” the judge said.
