Adeyanju Demands Release of Suleiman Ibrahim, cites 2023 acquittal, alleges double jeopardy over fresh detention

Human rights lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, has petitioned the Chief of Defence Staff, demanding the immediate release of Suleiman Ibrahim, who he claims is being detained by military operatives in Kaduna State over alleged links to a kidnapping syndicate.

Adeyanju, through his law firm, Deji Adeyanju & Partners, made the demand in a letter dated September 14, 2026, addressed to the Chief of Defence Staff at the Nigerian Defence Headquarters, Abuja.

In the letter, the legal practitioner raised concerns over Ibrahim’s continued detention, arguing that his client had previously been arrested, prosecuted and discharged and acquitted by the Federal High Court of Nigeria in a case involving allegations he says are connected to the basis of the latest arrest.

According to the law firm, Ibrahim was arrested by officers of the Defence Headquarters’ special forces at Liman Ibada, Soba Local Government Area of Kaduna State, on September 9, 2026, at about 5:00pm.

The lawyers stated that Ibrahim was being held at the Forward Operation Base, Doka Kashi, in Kauru Local Government Area of Kaduna State, over alleged membership of a kidnapping syndicate said to be operating in Rijana, Kachia and Doka.

Adeyanju said the latest detention raised serious legal concerns, drawing attention to Ibrahim’s previous arrest by officers of the Nigeria Police Force in September 2023.

The letter disclosed that Ibrahim was subsequently arraigned before the Federal High Court in a three-count criminal case marked FHC/ABJ/CR/534/2023.

According to the lawyers, Ibrahim was discharged and acquitted on all counts following trial, including charges they say relate to the allegations underlying his latest arrest.

The law firm further stated that a Certified True Copy of the court’s judgment was attached to the application for the Defence Headquarters’ consideration.

Adeyanju argued that his client’s continued detention over allegations connected to the earlier criminal proceedings amounted to double jeopardy and raised concerns about his constitutional right to a fair hearing.

The lawyer maintained that the Constitution protects citizens against being subjected to a second trial for an offence for which they have already been tried and acquitted, urging the military authorities to give the matter urgent attention.

“ In light of the foregoing, we humbly request for the immediate release of our client,” the letter stated.

The application was also copied to the Chief of Army Staff at the Nigerian Army Headquarters, Area 7, Garki, Abuja.

The demand places the circumstances surrounding Ibrahim’s arrest, the precise nature of the current allegations and the relevance of the 2023 judgment at the centre of the matter.

However, the claims contained in the lawyers’ letter, including the circumstances of the arrest, the scope of the previous acquittal and the alleged constitutional violations, have not been independently verified by MO MEDIA HEADLINES.

The Defence Headquarters’ response to the application was not contained in the correspondence reviewed for this report.