A Nigerian Army officer, Colonel Mohammed Alhassan Ma’aji, has dragged the Federal Government before the Federal High Court in Abuja, challenging his prolonged detention since September 2025.
The suit, filed under the Fundamental Rights Enforcement Procedure Rules of 2009, seeks his immediate release and N500 million in damages for alleged violation of his fundamental rights.
Listed as defendants in the case are the Attorney General of the Federation, the Chief of Army Staff, the Nigerian Army, and the Chief of Defence Intelligence. The officer is questioning the legality of his continued detention without being brought before a court.
Through his counsel, Olalekan Ojo (SAN), Ma’aji argued that his detention for over six months without trial contravenes his constitutional rights to personal liberty and human dignity.
Court documents revealed that the officer was arrested on or about September 30, 2025, alongside others, over allegations of plotting to overthrow the government. Since then, he has reportedly been held in a military facility in Abuja.
Ma’aji further alleged that he has been denied access to his family and legal representatives and has not received adequate medical care while in custody.
He maintained that authorities have failed to arraign him within the legally stipulated timeframe, despite claims that investigations have been concluded. He anchored his claims on provisions of the 1999 Constitution and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
Among the reliefs sought, the officer is asking the court to declare his detention unlawful and order his immediate release. Alternatively, he urged the court to compel the authorities to arraign him within seven days.
An affidavit filed by a litigation officer in his lawyer’s office stated that the officer has remained incommunicado since his arrest, with no formal charges filed against him.
As of the time of filing this report, the court has yet to set a date for the hearing.
