A serving officer in the Nigerian Army has taken the Federal Government to court, alleging he has been held unlawfully for months over a suspected coup investigation.
Colonel Mohammed Alhassan Ma’aji filed the suit at the Federal High Court of Nigeria, seeking his immediate release and ₦500 million in damages for what he describes as a violation of his fundamental rights.
In court filings submitted under the Fundamental Rights (Enforcement Procedure) Rules 2009, the officer argued that his continued detention since late September 2025, without formal charges, breaches his constitutional rights to personal liberty and human dignity.
The case names several top government and military officials as respondents, including the Attorney General of the Federation, the Chief of Army Staff, the Nigerian Army, and the Chief of Defence Intelligence.
Through his legal team led by Senior Advocate of Nigeria Olalekan Ojo, Ma’aji claims he was arrested alongside others over allegations of plotting to overthrow the government of President Bola Tinubu.
However, he insists that more than six months later, he has neither been charged in court nor granted access to his family, lawyers, or adequate medical care.
He is asking the court to declare his detention unconstitutional and order his immediate release.
Alternatively, he wants the authorities compelled to arraign him before a competent court within seven days.
The suit also cites provisions of the 1999 Constitution and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, arguing that the prolonged detention without trial violates established legal safeguards.
According to an affidavit filed in support of the application, Ma’aji has been held incommunicado despite claims that investigations into the alleged coup plot have already been concluded.
No date has yet been fixed for the hearing of the case.
