A serving officer of the Nigerian Army Col. Mohammed Alhassan Ma’aji, has sued the federal government at the Federal High Court of Nigeria in Abuja, alleging prolonged and unlawful detention since September 2025.
In a motion filed under the Fundamental Rights (Enforcement Procedure) Rules 2009, Ma’aji is seeking his immediate release and 500 million naira ($—) in damages for alleged violations of his fundamental rights.
The suit names the attorney general of the federation, the chief of army staff, the Nigerian Army and the chief of defence intelligence as respondents, challenging the legality of his continued detention without trial.
Through his lawyer, Olalekan Ojo, Ma’aji said his incarceration for more than six months without being charged in court breaches his constitutional rights to personal liberty and human dignity.
According to court documents, Ma’aji was arrested on or about Sept. 30, 2025, along with others over allegations of conspiring to overthrow the government.
He said he has since been held at a military facility in Abuja without access to his family, legal representatives or adequate medical care.
The application argues that authorities have failed to arraign him within a reasonable time as required under Sections 34 and 35 of Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution, as amended, as well as provisions of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
Ma’aji is asking the court to declare his continued detention unconstitutional and order his immediate release. Alternatively, he is requesting that the court compel the respondents to arraign him before a competent court within seven days.
He is also seeking 500 million naira in compensation for the alleged unlawful detention.
An affidavit filed by a litigation officer in his lawyer’s chambers said Ma’aji has been held incommunicado since his arrest, with no formal charges despite claims that investigations have been concluded.
No hearing date has been set for the case.
